Dolphin Tale 2 (B- or 2.5/4 stars)
'Dolphin Tale 2' (directed by Charles Martin Smith) picks up following events depicted in 2011's Dolphin Tale; continuing the story of Winter, a rescued dolphin with a prosthetic tail. It's been a few years since teen Sawyer Nelson (Nathan Gamble) helped rescue Winter; who was rehabilitated at Clearwater Marine Hospital/Aquarium run by Dr. Clay Haskett (Harry Connick Jr.). Sawyer's mom, Lorraine (Ashley Judd), encourages him to make a decision about whether or not to leave the marine center {which he really doesn't want to do} or accept an incredible 3 month-at-sea scholarship program that's been offered to him. Dr. Clay & his teen daughter, Hazel (Cozi Zuehlsdorff) -- who also works at said center -- think it's obvious that Sawyer should do the scholarship {even though she crushes on him & vice-versa}. Even Dr. Clay's father, Reed (Kris Kristofferson); along with Sawyer's older cousin/war vet, Kyle (Austin Stowell) agree.
Sawyer's big concern is that the usually plucky Winter has become depressed following the death of her dolphin surrogate mother & is no longer wearing the prosthetic tale that Dr. Cameron McCarthy (Morgan freeman) made for her yrs. ago. Not only is the staff concerned, but also investor Phillip Hordern who is worried that Winter's absence from the public might affect visitor attendance at this popular aquarium. The situation becomes more dire when Winter starts refusing to wear her tail; which adversely affects her health. Enter an evil USDA inspector who requires that solitary Winter needs a companion ... or she'll be shipped to a Texas aquatic facility. As Sawyer struggles to make is own decision, he and the others find 'Hope', a rescued dolphin & potential companion. But getting Winter out of her funk and having her & Hope co-exist might be more difficult than previously thought.
I really enjoyed 2011's Dolphin Tale; a heartwarming fictionalized 'tale' of an injured dolphin, her convalescence & the wonderful team of adults & teens who worked hard to help her. While I don't think this sequel is quiiiiite as effective, it's still a pleasant, amiable film that all audiences can enjoy -- and really, it's only a tad less effective BECAUSE the 1st film exists; quality-wise, the films are very similar. Though no one will win any Academy Awards here, every actor is essential and the characters they portray are charming -- we root for them all. I love Nathan Gamble as the sweet, enthusiastic Sawyer; you just want him to achieve everything he sets out for. Cozi Zuehlsdorff's Hazel is a real sweety; loved her rooftop surprise for Sawyer in the end. Most of the adult actors don't have much to do, but they serve their characters well. Real-life amputee surfer Bethany Hamilton has a cameo. And there's even a subplot for our loveable pelican, Rufus.
It's just rare to find genuine and genuinely good family films like these, nowadays. Sure, the plot gets a little soggy. Sure, some of the plot is superficial/manufactured. And the whole thing has a kinda TV movie vibe; production values are okay, not amazing. But the overall effect is positive. Interestingly enough, after the release of the 2011 film, Nathan Gamble & Cozi Zuehlsdorff became spokespersons for the Clearwater Marine Hospital, delighting children with disabilities & 1,000s of tourists who now visit the site -- that's the power that these movies have. 'Dophin Tale 2' (and the original film) warmed my heart & brought a tear to my eye. It's touching; it's inspirational. I love the values & morals it imparts. It's always a good thing to witness good people doing good things for the disabled - man or beast.
Sawyer's big concern is that the usually plucky Winter has become depressed following the death of her dolphin surrogate mother & is no longer wearing the prosthetic tale that Dr. Cameron McCarthy (Morgan freeman) made for her yrs. ago. Not only is the staff concerned, but also investor Phillip Hordern who is worried that Winter's absence from the public might affect visitor attendance at this popular aquarium. The situation becomes more dire when Winter starts refusing to wear her tail; which adversely affects her health. Enter an evil USDA inspector who requires that solitary Winter needs a companion ... or she'll be shipped to a Texas aquatic facility. As Sawyer struggles to make is own decision, he and the others find 'Hope', a rescued dolphin & potential companion. But getting Winter out of her funk and having her & Hope co-exist might be more difficult than previously thought.
I really enjoyed 2011's Dolphin Tale; a heartwarming fictionalized 'tale' of an injured dolphin, her convalescence & the wonderful team of adults & teens who worked hard to help her. While I don't think this sequel is quiiiiite as effective, it's still a pleasant, amiable film that all audiences can enjoy -- and really, it's only a tad less effective BECAUSE the 1st film exists; quality-wise, the films are very similar. Though no one will win any Academy Awards here, every actor is essential and the characters they portray are charming -- we root for them all. I love Nathan Gamble as the sweet, enthusiastic Sawyer; you just want him to achieve everything he sets out for. Cozi Zuehlsdorff's Hazel is a real sweety; loved her rooftop surprise for Sawyer in the end. Most of the adult actors don't have much to do, but they serve their characters well. Real-life amputee surfer Bethany Hamilton has a cameo. And there's even a subplot for our loveable pelican, Rufus.
It's just rare to find genuine and genuinely good family films like these, nowadays. Sure, the plot gets a little soggy. Sure, some of the plot is superficial/manufactured. And the whole thing has a kinda TV movie vibe; production values are okay, not amazing. But the overall effect is positive. Interestingly enough, after the release of the 2011 film, Nathan Gamble & Cozi Zuehlsdorff became spokespersons for the Clearwater Marine Hospital, delighting children with disabilities & 1,000s of tourists who now visit the site -- that's the power that these movies have. 'Dophin Tale 2' (and the original film) warmed my heart & brought a tear to my eye. It's touching; it's inspirational. I love the values & morals it imparts. It's always a good thing to witness good people doing good things for the disabled - man or beast.