“Dolphin Tale 2” packs a powerful punch! It is a wholesome yet adventurous movie with the lovable characters from “Dolphin Tale” returning. Those characters includes Nathan Gamble as Sawyer, Harry Connick Jr. as Dr. Clay Haskett, and Morgan Freeman as Dr. Cameron McCarthy. In an inspiring scene one-armed surfer Bethany Hamilton shows up and swims with a dolphin underwater.
The movie is a mixture of story tension, humor, and drama. In one funny scene several young people are fussing over Dr. McCarthy, who says, “I’ve got jars of peanut butter older than you!” There is also a running joke featuring a pelican named Rufus, who continues to show up during important moments. He seems to hang around every time something is going on.
The plot again features Winter, the dolphin with the prosthetic tail. As in the first film, this movie’s storyline is based on true incidents. Winter is acting a bit bizarre and the team can’t figure out why. But a dolphin named Panama is sick and soon her caretakers wonder if this is why Winter’s behavior has been odd. Following a sad moment, Winter is in danger of being transferred someplace else, especially when a dolphin named Mandy is still around but now healed. The institute has always taken the approach of rescue, rehab, and release. All hope seems lost, but then a young dolphin named Hope, appropriately enough, shows up. If Winter and Hope can get along and pair up, then Winter may be able to stay. When the dramatic moment is about to happen, a large group of people are there to watch, and one girl says to her mother, “I hope they like each other, Mother.” “I do too,” replies the mother.The movie features many wonderful elements and is a very good choice for families. It includes a lot of great lines, like one by Sawyer when he is offered a three-month scholarship in Boston but is not sure he wants to leave his friends and Winter that long. But he is given this advice: “Sometimes you just have to make a decision.” McCarthy helps him decide when he brings him an old watch as a gift. It won’t work unless it is thumped or shaken up. “Sometimes things have to be shaken up before they move ahead,” he says.
We are most pleased to award “Dolphin Tale 2” our Dove Family-Approved Seal for all ages. It contains terrific themes of loyalty, friendship, and perseverance. Five Doves all the way!