With only one or two good family films to
choose from this season, this movie is a
welcome sight at theatres. "Flipper" is loosely
based on the '60s movies and the
subsequent (and popular) TV show of the
same name. There are a few similarities, but
this is clearly not a remake. Big-city Sandy
("The War's" Elijah Wood) goes to spend the
summer with his Uncle Porter ("Crocodile
Dundee's" Paul Hogan), a boondocks
fisherman, but Sandy would give up anything
to be able to attend an ultimate rock concert
back home. Instead, he has to settle for being
bored on a remote island eating the same
food every day with an ex-Beach Boys roadie
that hasn't changed his style of living since the
'60s. The dull routine makes a turn for the
better when Sandy is befriended by a dolphin
he names Flipper.
The dolphin, however, isn't the star of the movie. He does a few tricks and serves as a common link between the major characters. This is more of a bonding film between a man and a boy who need emotional and mental growth. While spending the summer together, the two learn and earn responsibility and trust. The biggest lessons here are that smoking is not good for you (there's a comic sequence in which Sandy lights up some of Unc's stogies)--and, more importantly, that showing a little affection toward someone who cares might not be so bad after all. Toxic waste, rival fishermen and natural disaster are a few of the underlying plot elements that keep audiences interested.
In terms of the tots, the film's most shocking scene occurs when an ocean bird is snatched from the surface by a hammerhead shark, leaving a bloody trail as it's dragged underwater--rather like something out of a National Geographic predator video. But, with the help of Flipper and the comic cavortings of Uncle Porter's pet pelican, the tykes will have fun and feel safe enough to go back into the water. Starring Elijah Wood and Paul Hogan. Directed and written by Alan Shapiro. Produced by James J. McNamara and Perry Katz. A Universal release. Family drama. Rated PG for some mild language and menacing action. Running time: 95 min
The dolphin, however, isn't the star of the movie. He does a few tricks and serves as a common link between the major characters. This is more of a bonding film between a man and a boy who need emotional and mental growth. While spending the summer together, the two learn and earn responsibility and trust. The biggest lessons here are that smoking is not good for you (there's a comic sequence in which Sandy lights up some of Unc's stogies)--and, more importantly, that showing a little affection toward someone who cares might not be so bad after all. Toxic waste, rival fishermen and natural disaster are a few of the underlying plot elements that keep audiences interested.
In terms of the tots, the film's most shocking scene occurs when an ocean bird is snatched from the surface by a hammerhead shark, leaving a bloody trail as it's dragged underwater--rather like something out of a National Geographic predator video. But, with the help of Flipper and the comic cavortings of Uncle Porter's pet pelican, the tykes will have fun and feel safe enough to go back into the water. Starring Elijah Wood and Paul Hogan. Directed and written by Alan Shapiro. Produced by James J. McNamara and Perry Katz. A Universal release. Family drama. Rated PG for some mild language and menacing action. Running time: 95 min
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