Dolphin Tale 2 (12/9/2014)

Rated PG for some mild thematic elements.

Starring Ashley Judd, Harry Connick Jr., Morgan Freeman, Cameron Boyce, Kris Kristofferson and Bethany Hamilton

Directed by Charles Martin Smith (Dolphin Tale)

Not your typical kids movie…but so worth your time.

It has been several years since young Sawyer Nelson and the dedicated team at the Clearwater Marine Hospital, headed by Dr. Clay Haskett, rescued Winter. With the help of Dr. Cameron McCarthy, who developed a unique prosthetic tail for the injured dolphin, they were able to save her life. Yet their fight is not over. Winter’s surrogate mother, the very elderly dolphin Panama, has passed away, leaving Winter without the only poolmate she has ever known. However, the loss of Panama may have even greater repercussions for Winter, who, according to USDA regulations, cannot be housed alone, as dolphins’ social behavior requires them to be paired with other dolphins. Time is running out to find a companion for her before the team at Clearwater loses their beloved Winter to another aquarium.

When we think about kids’ moves, most of us immediately think about Frozen or The Lego Movie. But there are actually films for families that aren’t animated or rely on fart jokes. I like a Pixar and Disney film as much as the next guy, but when a filmmaker can deliver a quality family film without singing princesses or a high-tech robots… I’m in.

Dolphin Tale 2 is one of those films. It is heartwarming, well-crafted and entertaining. It has an A-list cast, a charming story and a talented director.

The first Dolphin Tale recounted the friendship that developed between our preteen hero Sawyer (Nathan Gamble) and Winter, a tailless dolphin rescued and rehabilitated by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a Tampa hospital for sick and injured animals run by Dr. Clay Haskett (Harry Connick Jr.) and his family. The new film opens with the rescue of another dolphin named Mandy who is found beached in shallow water and in rough shape. But the story quickly moves back to Sawyer and Winter. I didn’t mind because the story is engaging.

And besides an engaging story, Ashley Judd, Harry Connick Jr. and Morgan Freeman are superb. Simply put, they are a joy to watch on the screen.

Dolphin Tale 2 most likely won’t shatter any box-office records, but it is an honest film that is entertaining for the entire family…definitely worth a rental.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Yes this one is fine for the whole family.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. Why do you think so many people have been inspired by Winter’s story?


2. What about her story inspires you?

Read Hebrews 10:24

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.


3. Who inspires you to do good things?


4. How can we inspire others around us to do good things?