6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 3.3 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.7 |
The film is inspired by the remarkable true story of a courageous dolphin named Winter and the compassionate people who banded together to save her life.
Starring: Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Nathan Gamble, Kris Kristofferson, Cozi ZuehlsdorffFamily | 100% |
Teen | 13% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 MVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (2 BDs, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
Blu-ray 3D
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Be warned: you've seen Dolphin Tale before. Dozens of times, actually. You may not recognize it at first and you might not realize you already have it somewhere on your shelves. But, even if you know exactly what you're in for, you probably won't mind. Animal-rescue dramas have been a staple of all-age family films for decades, and it's difficult to think of one that doesn't involve a young protagonist, a heap of harmless conflict and a heartfelt coming-of-age story. But Dolphin Tale has a few things going for it that separate it from the rest of the genre pod. It's based on a true story for one, the caliber of the cast, young and old, is higher, its natively filmed 3D presentation is terrific, and Winter -- the never-say-die dolphin who lost her tail after being caught in a crab trap off the coast of Florida in 2005 -- plays herself in the film. The end result is a bit more moving than your run-of-the-mill genre pic, even if, at the end of the day, it's simply a more refined take on the same old run-of-the-mill genre pic.
Sawyer is the first to help Winter when she washes ashore
I've cringed my way through so many mediocre 3D conversions this year that Dolphin Tale 3D -- shot in native 3D with Red One cameras and Paradise FX 3D Rigs -- struck me as a refreshing sip of crisp, clean, crystal clear water. Blessed with a stunning 1080p/MVC-encoded video transfer, the film's 3D Blu-ray release offers one of the best live-action 3D presentations of the year; scene for scene, pixel for pixel, dimension for dimension. Depth is exceptional and more true-to-life than the true story it accompanies. The benefits of shooting the film, any film really, in native 3D are numerous, and each one is showcased here: natural, innate and infinite 3D reference points, a brighter, bolder picture, and a higher detail-retention rate that enhances rather than diminishing the original photography. Dolphin Tale 3D doesn't stutter or stall for a second either. It may be a slow paced family drama (rather than the sort of flashy actioner that tends to come to mind when trumpeting the marvels of 3D), but its raw dimensionality, while subtle at times and more assertive at others, is far more effective and satisfying. Winter's nose stretches out of the screen, the tanks and grounds of the Clearwater Marine Hospital boast legitimate depth and space, foreground objects pull away from background elements with effortless ease, and water-based sequences come off without a hitch, despite the fact that water, because of the countless split-second reflections and refractions that occur, presents a considerable challenge to filmmakers shooting in native 3D. And crosstalk? Even those cursed with crosstalk-prone displays will notice very little amidst the rich rays and warm light that floods Dolphin Tale's exteriors and interiors. (To be clear, though: crosstalk is a product of individual 3D displays and glasses. It is not an issue inherent to a film's technical transfer. If you notice any, blame your equipment, not Warner's 3D Blu-ray release.)
Of course, no 3D presentation could leave a lasting impression if its encode were out of sorts. Thankfully, Dolphin Tale doesn't disappoint in that regard either. Contrast is a bit hot to the touch, as it is with the 3D transfer's 2D counterpart, but colors are strong and striking, skintones are summery and well-saturated, and black levels are nice and deep. Detail is excellent, and everything from the finest texture to the smallest adolescent freckle to the cleanest, sharpest edge is refined and wonderfully resolved. Some passing softness is apparent from time to time, but none of it is derived from faulty encoding and none of it takes a toll on the quality of the 3D presentation. It helps that there aren't many 3D gimmick shots on hand to muck up the proceedings, and I came away nodding. This is 3D as it should be: unobtrusive yet oh-so-absorbing. Better still, artifacting, banding, aliasing and aberrant noise aren't a factor, significant or otherwise, and only the slightest hint of ringing and the most negligible instances of crush do anything to bring the presentation down. (Other than the glaring light the highly detailed transfer shines on the film's less-than-extraordinary CG.) Make no mistake, Dolphin Tale looks fantastic. In 3D, even more so.
Warner's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is front-heavy, but only by design. Smooth, convincing waves, ripples and lapping waters still roll across the soundfield, and directional effects are convincing whenever they're employed. But Dolphin Tale is a dialogue-driven family film, and it's greatest claim to aural fame is absorbing aquarium ambience, notable water tank acoustics, welcome underwater immersiveness and lightning-quick pans. Voices are also bright and intelligible throughout, LFE output is more than serviceable (especially when it comes to supporting and embracing Mark Isham's spirited score), and dynamics are quite decent. Ultimately, Dolphin Tale's lossless mix doesn't disappoint. The film doesn't make the sonic splash a bigger, brawnier blockbuster might, but it sounds great for a heartwarming family drama.
Dolphin Tale isn't nearly as inspiring as the true tale that inspired it, but as emotionally eager family films go, it does what it does well. Warner's 3D Blu-ray release, though, is much, much better. Its 3D presentation is a natively shot dream, its video transfer swims incredibly close to perfection, its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is a sonic survivor, and its supplemental package will appeal to fans of all ages. It isn't an amazing release, and it isn't an amazing film. In fact, the only thing "amazing" about it is the quality and immersiveness of its 3D experience. But you and your family could certainly do worse. If you have a choice, go with this edition. If anything can make Dolphin Tale a more enjoyable film, it's Warner's 3D presentation.
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