You would think a movie with such a goofy name like “Dolphin Tale,” centered on a dolphin with literally no tail would be just an unbearable cutesy movie. Truthfully, “Dolphin Tale” is very much a film about nature, wildlife, and the very fragile balance that can be ruined when man is reckless.
Much of the first moments of “Dolphin Tale” are depicted with large splashes of dolphin and underwater life suddenly disrupted by fishermen in the waters. The introduction of Winter, the dolphin ends when we see a fisherman drop a crab cage in to the water. This is unfortunately not the last time we’d see her. When we do get to meet her once again, she’s been beached, is dying from dehydration, and her tail is horribly caught in the very crab trap we saw moments before.
Our main character Sawyer decides to boldly help Winter, despite the warning from a local fisherman on the beach to stay away lest he be attacked, but Sawyer cuts her tail loose, allowing her to move. What’s important about the scene is not just that we’ve seen what can happen when humans aren’t responsible, but also that Winter, despite adorable, is still dangerous. Dolphins are wild animals, and Winter could inflict some damage on young Sawyer out of fright or a need for survival.
Sure, the first “Dolphin Tale” could be accused of copying “Free Willy,” but I’d argue that “Dolphin Tale” is superior, and in many ways, a lot more mature in its approach toward wildlife. “Dolphin Tale” and its sequel this year are much more beneficial to wildlife and garner better messages overall about sea life and the struggle to preserve their habitat.
The “Dolphin Tale” movies don’t preach to kids, but instead emphasize the importance of oceanic wildlife, and stress the fact that they are indeed wild animals. The dolphins and many animals featured in both films are dangerous, despite being adorable, and there’s an immense exploration of how dolphins can hurt as well as entertain. When Winter is fitted for her artificial tails, she rejects them immediately, thrashing violently, while the humans can do nothing but stand back wait for her to calm down. Even disabled, Winter can harm the animal rescuers in her water tank.
Both films even manage to squeeze in a ton of interesting information about sea life that make the pair of movies a learning experience. Did you know it’s a law that dolphins have to have a mate in their tank since they’re social creatures? And dolphins have to accept one another, or else they can’t co-exist in their tank. That and so much more are relayed through the constant battles to help these injured animals.
Many films paint sea animals as cute mascots, while dolphins are depicted as spiritual beings that can practically heal wounds, but “Dolphin Tale” actually tries to show them in as realistic a light as possible. Sure, they’re amazing creatures, but trying to tame them is as harrowing as trying to tame a wild tiger or brown bear. Sometimes they can be docile, and other times they’ll kill you simply because it’s their nature to survive. Even the dolphin Winter, whose fin is missing, is programmed to survive, no matter how much she bonds with our characters.
And what’s interesting is that the human characters (even the trained specialists) display caution with her, even during a sequence in “Dolphin Tale 2” where our characters Hazel and Sawyer celebrate her newfound attitude by swimming beside her. And when Winter has a hard time adjusting to her life without her friend Panama in “Dolphin Tales 2,” she attacks Sawyer, knocking him unconscious, and spraining his wrist to the point where he’s incapable of swimming. Which is ultimately a surprise twist considering Sawyer builds a strong connection with her throughout “Dolphin Tale.”
The “Dolphin Tale” movies are mainly about the people that spend their lives trying to save ocean wildlife, and how their world centers on the welfare of these beasts. They respect them; they treat them with as much humanity possible, and take it very hard when they’ve lost one of their own. Hazel finds it nearly impossible to function when Winter has to have her fin amputated in the first film. And the death of Panama in the sequel is a gut wrenching moment, as Sawyer finds new horizons awaiting him, but decides to put his life on hold to help Winter adjust with her grief and loss.
Even the blossoming romance between characters Hazel and Sawyer lives and breathes on their life in the animal hospital and how they function alongside the rescued wildlife in dire need of help. There’s even a touching scene involving a green sea turtle named Mavis who is cared for when he’s discovered by the pelican Rufus. Mavis is a small sub-plot in the sequel (found snared in fishing hooks) but he helps display how every animal is important, and every life counts when it comes to preserving the waters.
True, the films can take a turn for the silly on occasion. The special effects in the first movie are dodgy at best, but that’s only what comes with most kids films these days. The sugary tone doesn’t overpower the intended message that we have to show great respect for nature. Everything in nature is about balance and showing consideration for others.
Humans affect the water, the oceans affect us, and it’s an endless cycle that can have unfortunate consequences if human beings don’t display an iota of responsibility or restraint. Above all else, all life should be valued. The “Dolphin Tale” movies serve a strong purpose. They’re entertaining, and touching, but they’re also unique learning tools for any lover of animals, or wildlife in general.