Buy it 12/20/11 on Blu-ray Combo Pack with UltraViolet Digital Copy and Download to Own
As “Dolphin Tale” begins, we meet Winter, a curious young dolphin who has unfortunately gotten her tail caught in a crab trap. She is discovered on a Floridian beach by eleven-year-old Sawyer (Nathan Gamble) and quickly rescued by the kind folks at the local marine hospital led by Dr. Clay Haskett (Harry Connick Jr.). You try not to cry watching that. You’ve been dared.
Because of the damage caused by the accident, Winter losses her tail and the experts at the hospital are at a loss for how to save her. Winter adapts and learns to swim again with a sideways, snakelike motion that is harmful to her spine. If she continues to swim like this, she will go paralyzed and effectively die. By now the tears will be welling up. I promise.
When Sawyer’s cousin, who only recently enlisted, returns from overseas in a wheelchair Sawyer goes to meet him at the Veteran’s Hospital where he is introduced to Dr. Cameron McCarthy (Morgan Freeman) who is a master at designing prosthetic limbs for the injured men and women who return home. Sawyer easily talks the good doctor into helping Winter and the two go about designing a prosthetic tail for the loveable mammal. Cue the swelling music and tears of joy.
Based on a true story, “Dolphin Tale” is exactly what you expect it to be: A heartwarming family film akin to “Free Willy”. It is easy to fall for the injured dolphin even if the special effects to bring her to life are at times clunky. Sometimes she is a computer generated cartoon and other times she a lifeless puppet. The actual Winter is also featured in the film when she is not rendered by a computer and it is wonderful to see the animal so full of life.
The supporting cast is impressive, with Ashley Judd who has been missed for the last few years and Kris Kristofferson who spends the running time of the film walking around spouting much needed knowledge to anyone who will listen. The kid actors are able to hold their own next to these vets, especially the cherubic newcomer Cozi Zuehlsdorff as Hazel Haskett.
“Dolphin Tale” is an inspirational family film that is more than serviceable and the kids should love it, especially this holiday season, when kids go out to play on their scooters and hoverboards. You can click here for more information on the same.