DOLPHIN TALE 2
US, 2014, 107 minutes, Colour.
Harry Connick Jr, Nathan Gamble, Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Charles Martin Smith, Bethany Hamilton.
Directed by Charles Martin Smith.
One quick way for a reviewer to save time with Dolphin Tale 2, would be to dig out the original review of Dolphin Tale. The same characters turn up in this sequel. The plot is just a variation of the original, pleasant, easy, though an appeal to sentiment because of dolphins getting old and dying, clashes between dolphins, and the difficulty in fulfilling all the regulations and the danger of being closed down.
Once again, there is a loving concern about the dolphins, to rescue, to rehabilitate them, to release them – a motto for the centre, repeated during the film which is managed by Clay, Harry Connick Jr, with Sawyer, Nathan Gamble, a bit older, as the young man responsible, with some other teenagers, for the life and rehabilitation of the dolphins. And there are some romantic touches in the background.
There is actually a new dilemma. Kyle is so good at his work that he is being offered a scholarship, to work as an intern and learn more about dolphins. While this seems to be a no-brainer to some of the characters, Kyle is so attached to working with the local dolphins, especially when an old one of them dies and a new one comes in but is not able to work in a pair, and the centre is threatened by a fussy bureaucrat (played by the film’s director, Charles Martin Smith), Kyle is reluctant to go and take the whole film to make up his mind.
Kyle’s mother is always there, played by Ashley Judd. Morgan Freeman comes again for a visit and gives Kyle some sound advice. Kris Kristofferson, pleasantly crusty, is there again as Clay’s father, offering advice from the older generation.
All in all, for audiences who enjoyed Dolphin Tale, it will be a pleasure for them to renew acquaintance with the characters, to learn a little more about the dolphins and more serious rehabilitation and release rather than exhibitions and exploitations at Sea World’s (the theme of the impressive documentary, Blackfish, of some years ago).
It is obviously a film designed for family audiences and has the value of encouraging children and teenagers to become involved in outdoor activities and concern for nature.
1. An enjoyable dolphin story? The importance of the first film, establishing the characters, the aquarium for the dolphins, the issue of training dolphins? For the trainers? For the public?
2. The Florida setting, Tampa, homes, the aquarium? The pools for exhibition? For training? The musical score?
3. The focus on Sawyer, growing up, his age, experience with the dolphins, the relationship with his mother, with Kyle, working with Hazel and not noticing her attraction? Working with Clay, the relationship, the other members of the staff? His work with Panama, bonding, able to train? Panama and her getting old? Mandy and her swimming with Winter? Winter agitated, biting Sawyer? The appeal about Mandy, the young trainers and their anxiety, arguing with Clay, her being released? Further training of Winter? The arrival of Hope? The visitor coming to the performance, offering the scholarship, his not being able to make up his mind, the influence of his mother? The visit of Dr Cameron Mc Carthy, giving him the watch, the allegory of the box, going beyond the box? His final consent, discussions with Hazel, with Clay, the final party, his sitting outside? The tensions with Winter and Hope? Success?
4. Sawyer’ mother, the work and nursing, love for her son, encouragement?
5. Dr Cameron Mc Carthy, past expertise, his good advice, at home at the aquarium, amazed at the dolphins, the final success?
6. Clay, the establishment of the Institute, for rescue, for rehabilitation, for release? The tough decisions? His tensions with Hazel? Her being upset with him? His relationship with his father, good advice from his father? The visit of the Inspector, the difficulties, the 30 days? The visitor and his return and satisfaction at the improvement? The institution boss, concerned about the public, putting pressure on Clay about the dolphins? His parenting, dealing with Hazel, giving her responsibilities, the final decisions with him?
7. Hazel, her father, her age, looking devotedly at Sawyer, wary about his eye for the other girl?
8. The portrayal of the dolphins, the qualities, talking about their intelligence, their communications, companionship, swimming with each other? Panama, the old veteran and energy giving out? Winter, the loss of the tail, swimming without it? The aggression? The loss of Mandy? The initial distrust of Hope? The final acceptance, with the wearing of the tail? Mandy, the little girl seeing Mandy, the details of the rescue, insertion in the pool, the treatment, the sunburn, the x-rays? The improvement? The need for her to be released? The finding of Hope, trying to pair her with Winter? Ultimate success after her fear about Winter having no tale?
9. The aim of the Institute, not for performance, but for rehabilitating the dolphins and allowing them to go back into the sea?
10. A film for the family, for encouraging youngsters in their knowledge of dolphins, interest in all kinds of nature?
