Preview: Dolphin Tale (2011)

Synopsis:

Based on the true story of a dolphin caught in a fishing trap loses its tail and faces certain death unable to swim, but the young boy who discovers the poor animal on the beach goes to great lengths to save it, bringing in one of the world's leading prosthetic researchers to see about crafting the porpoise a new tail.

• Poster: C

Review:

It's childish and unimpressive, using aged techniques to try and sell the film. It might work for some, but I find it hopelessly banal.

• Trailer: B; C

Review:

The first trailer uses music and situation to elicit emotion from the audience. It makes it seem like it might be a nice inspiring story to take the kids to.

The second trailer stretches emotional credibility, attempts to force the audience into expecting something grand but fills the frames with so much rudimentary and bloated fake inspiration that it threatens to drown under its own pomposity.

Oscar Prospects:

Morgan Freeman notwithstanding, this Oscar-less feature cast doesn't exactly excite Oscar thrills. The film seems so sacchariny that I can't imagine the Academy really caring much for it.

Release Date:

• September 23, 2011

Full Review Synopsis:

I have not seen this film.

-Wesley Lovell (August 14, 2011) Original