Mini Reviews: Dolphin Tale 2 (2014), Million Dollar Arm (2014) and Love, Rosie (2014)

You may remember I reviewed Dolphin Tale back in September and back then I was really looking forward to the sequel, until I forgot about it!  Finally I watched it last week and I was pleasantly surprised.  Much like with the sequel to Free Willy its nice to see the same characters again and how their bonds have developed.  I really enjoyed seeing Sawyer (Nathan Gamble) as a much more confident teenager and being considered a bit of a VIP at the marine hospital.

It seemed a bit of a stretch for Morgan Freeman's character to return but I don't think the film would have been the same without his one-liners so we can forgive it.  Its another great family movie, it's no Free Willy but kids will love it and it has all the right moral messages so parents won't hate it.

Generally enjoyable, nothing amazing or jaw dropping just pleasantly entertaining.

I wasn't that bothered about seeing this but I thought I would give it a go, honestly I wish I hadn't.  Its the true story of a sports agent who sets up the Million Dollar Arm programme to bring cricketers from India and turn them into Baseball pitchers.  It was completely predictable (yes I know it is based on a true story but I didn't know the story before I watched it!) and cliché and just terrible to watch.  Jon Hamm's self-obsessed agent, JB, is not even remotely likable and the films seems to veer off the main subject to often to keep your attention.  Most of these 'sports' movies focus on the actual sport rather than what is happening off to the sides, but this doesn't and I found that a little disappointing.  I wanted to see how the pitchers (Surej Sharma and Madhur Mittal) were getting on and all I got was meetings, talking and no action.

Too much politics and talking and not enough focus on the players success/failure.

I love a good rom-com as you all well know by now, this was no exception.  Following 2 best friends through the age old 'When Harry Met Sally' question over the course of ten years.  There were parts I wasn't thrilled about and for the most part I was screaming at the TV for the main characters Alex (Sam Clafin) and Rosie (Lily Collins) to sort it out but alas you have to wait.  I was never bored, it was comical and entertaining throughout and yet again I noticed (and enjoyed) the soundtrack!

Its soppy, its cheesy and maybe a bit too posh for my liking but I loved it all (bear in mind if considering watching this that I am a full blown sucker for a rom-com, particularly if it makes me cry at least once!)

Review: Dolphin Tale (2011)

I was so tired the other night and I wanted to watch something that didn't require too much effort or thinking on my part (as that would just put me to sleep!) and I came across this.  It looked like it had a Free Willy vibe which is one of my favourite childhood films so I thought I would give it a go.

Sawyer Nelson (Nathan Gamble) is a shy and introvert child, who reverts further inside of himself when his cousin (and possibly only friend) joins the Army and leaves to serve in Afghanistan.  That is until he finds Winter, the dolphin who is caught in a crab trap on the beach.  After visiting her at the marine hospital to check she is OK, he forms a bond and proceeds to skip summer school to visit Winter and help her recover after losing her tail.

This is a typical family movie, with the usual fixtures.  The bond with the injured animal, the young love interest, the mom who just doesn't understand and the alternative parental figure who does.  Add in Morgan Freeman as Dr Cameron McCarthy with his witty comments and sharp humour, steals every scene and it makes for pretty enjoyable watching. However, I was surprised to find out it wasn't as predictable as I was expecting.  More than once, I assumed one thing was going to happen and they went a different way completely.

Boy its been years since I saw Free Willy. If I'm honest Dolphin Tale isn't really my kind of thing but it sounds like a great family movie. Funnily enough, I'd never heard of this film till I saw Jenna's review, and in the same day I heard that a sequel is coming out later this year!

The special effects used for Winter's tail (or lack of tail!) is done really well and Sawyer is really good in his role as Winter's best friend.  It is very reminiscent of Jesse and Willy's bond in Free Willy.

All in all, this is a fun family film and doesn't take much effort to watch or enjoy.