Director Charles Martin Smith tugs a little too hard on the viewer's heartstrings, but Freeman's shrewd underplaying prevents the film from drowning in schmaltz.

| Dec 6, 2020

The real message of Dolphin Tale is that families aren't just families of birth but families of choice.

| Original Score: 3.5/4.0 | Sep 6, 2020

A nice little outing for young nature enthusiasts, even if the performances are uniformly stilted. Except for the lead role, which, remarkably, is played by the real Winter herself!

| Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 17, 2020

An inspirational, multi-layered film for everyone that has depth and meaning for all.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jan 22, 2020

Impeccable performances in small but powerful roles... [Full review in Spanish]

| Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 19, 2018

There's just not enough here to justify paying for the full-price theater experience.

| Nov 22, 2017

Emotionally manipulative, this film will probably reduce you to tears but in a jolly, uplifting kind of way.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 6, 2017

It just wants to make you leave the theater in a good mood. It certainly accomplishes that.

| Original Score: B- | Jun 22, 2013

Dolphin Tale, an inspirational tale about a Little Dolphin Who Could, will swim into your heart despite some melodrama and predictability.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Feb 11, 2013

Middle-of-the-road milquetoast.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Apr 6, 2012

It's an earnest, sweet film that relies on the extraordinary true story of Winter, the rescued dolphin, and little on manipulative Hollywood tricks.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 5, 2012

When I write the "Cookie Awards" in my annual Oscar-season column for the Quad-City Times, I always include this category: Most Embarrassing Crying Spell. There is no question which movie will 'win' the award. I bawled when I watched 'Dolphin Tale.'

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Dec 22, 2011

In the hands of actor-turned-director Charles Martin Smith, this kid-centric drama provides a welcome family option with positive values and a minimum of frantic, noisy CGI. It's a tale told on a human (and animal) scale.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Dec 22, 2011

One wonders why the filmmakers felt the need to turn a fascinating true story into a cliche-ridden, formulaic family film.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Dec 19, 2011

While some adults may get impatient with it, kids will undoubtedly find it appealing.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Dec 17, 2011

Inspired by a wonderfully inspiring true story, Dolphin Tale has all the right ingredients for a family movie with adorable dolphins ..and the plucky youngster who plays a major role in the feel-good plot

| Dec 10, 2011

You would have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by this uplifting, heart-warming tale, about a dolphin that learns to swim with a prosthetic tail

| Dec 10, 2011

Sawyer's interactions with Winter make the movie fun for kids especially - an intelligent animal connects with a boy in need of attention and affection.

| Dec 7, 2011

Those looking to leave the cinema with a warm glow should seek this one out.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 25, 2011

Sometimes drifts into the emotional shallows rather than letting its 'inspired by a true story' soar on its own.

| Nov 11, 2011