Dolphin Tale 2

Inspirational films, especially based on a true story or ideal, certainly hold a special place in my heart. I believe the reason for this is the story is usually something we can learn from, all the while entertaining us as we go down that road with the characters involved. They're often wholesome so the entire family can view without the concern of something objective or graphic hitting you in the face. This is why films such as "Dolphin Tale 2" were created.

It has been several years, 2011 to be exact, since young Sawyer Nelson (Nathan Gamble) and the dedicated team at the Clearwater Water Marine Hospital, headed by Dr. Clay Haskett (Harry Connick Jr.), rescued Winter as we saw in "Dolphin Tale". With the help of Dr. Cameron McCarthy (Morgan Freeman), 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 her before the team at Clearwater loses their beloved Winter to another aquarium.

Others to round out the cast are Ashley Judd as Lorraine Nelson, Sawyer's mom, Kris Kristofferson as Reed Haskett, Clay's dad, Cozi Zuehlsdorff as Hazel Haskett, Clay's daughter, Austin Stowell as Kyle Connellan, Austin Highsmith as Phoebe, a dolphin trainer, Tom Nowicki as Phillip J. Hordern, head of the board, Carlos Gomez as Dr. Aslan, Taylor Blackwell as Susie, a volunteer, Julia Jordan as Mandy, Bethany Hamilton as Herself, and Charles Martin Smith as George Hatton.

This was directed by an actor's director, Charles Martin Smith ("Trick or Treat" '86, "Boris and Natasha" (TV movie) '92, "Fifty/Fifty" '92, "Air Bud" '97, "Roughing It" (TV movie) '02, "The Snow Walker" '03, "Icon" (TV movie) '05, "Stone of Destiny" '08, "Dolphin Tale" '11). This guy has done a ton of acting way before he started directing, so he knows what it's like to walk in the moccasins of any actor. He even had a small role in this film as USDA inspector George Hatton. It was also written by Smith as well which was based on characters created by Karen Janszen and Noam Dromi. He must've consulted Janszen and Dromi, because there was a definite similarity in script and how it was laid out as that of the original "Dolphin Tale". When I saw my first trailer on this I thought that the trailer practically showed everything in the story, however after watching it, I was wrong. There was much more to it than met the eye. As the film dictates, it was based on true events, meaning that the story was true, but some of the details either were changed or modified to accommodate the script. Apparently, when a cast party was going on as a wrap on principle photography on "Dolphin Tale", someone was alerted that a dolphin was in trouble and needed help, which is how they were able to make a sequel and have it based on a true incidence. Timing is everything. The underwater cinematography was created by the incomparable Peter Zuccarini ("Blue" '09, "Piranha 3D" '10, "127 Hours" '10, "Act of Valor" '12, "Life of Pi" '12, "Pain & Gain" '13, "Divergent" '14, and the upcoming "Jurassic World" '15) plus tons of others. He's one of a small handful of underwater photographers that are truly artists under the sea as with this film. His photography in this was absolutely breathtaking as one could ascertain.

This was not an Academy Award caliber film, however it was certainly a far better movie than I would've given credit to given the trailer. Trust me, the trailer on this doesn't sell it, and as you watch this, you will see what I mean.

Out of 4 Stars: 3                              Rated: PG                             107mins.