Dolphin Tale 2

Returning to Florida's Clearwater Marine Aquarium, this inspired-by-actual-events sequel reunites the original cast with Winter, the severely injured bottleneck dolphin who lost her tail after being entangled in a crab trap, but now—thanks to the help of resourceful Dr. Cameron McCarthy (Morgan Freeman)—swims with a flexible prosthetic tail. Several years have passed since Sawyer Nelson (Nathan Gamble) first bonded with Winter, and this new drama begins with the death of Panama, an elderly dolphin who was Winter's constant companion in captivity. Now that she's alone, usually plucky Winter's disposition and health are deteriorating fast. Marine biologist Dr. Clay Haskett (Harry Connick Jr.) needs to abide by USDA regulations requiring dolphin companionship, and therefore must find a suitable female replacement for Panama or face Winter being transferred to a Texas aquatic facility. The obvious choice is a convalesced dolphin named Mandy, but she is ready for release and keeping her at Clearwater would be against the basic principles on which the facility was founded. So the only hope for retaining Winter lies with a very young, recently rescued dolphin calf, appropriately named Hope. Charles Martin Smith wrote and directed this somewhat fictionalized rescue-rehabilitate-release story that occasionally feels superficial, but nevertheless retains the touching, inspirational appeal of the family-friendly original. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a “True Story” segment (4 min.) and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is a blooper reel (8 min.), the behind-the-scenes featurettes “Underwater Magic” (3 min.), “The Mission” (3 min.), “Look Who's Running the Show” (3 min.), and “Bethany Hamilton Meets Winter” with the real-life surfer (3 min.), the music videos “Brave Souls” by Cozi Zuehlsdorff and “You Got Me” by Gavin DeGraw, and bonus DVD and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a solid family film sequel.] (S. Granger)