Just how many times can extraordinary rescues of two baby dolphins happen at one location, you may be asking. If you are the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Florida the answer is twice. In Dolphin Tale, we learned the true story of Winter, the baby dolphin that lost her tail after becoming entangled with a rope attached to a crab trap who was given a prosthetic limb and not only survived, but became a symbol of hope for people everywhere. Dolphin Tale 2 is not the same story, although, the circumstances are similar and the feelings pretty identical .

In DT2, we revisit the Clearwater Aquarium, Winter the dolphin, as well as Dr Clay Haskett (Harry Connick Jr), his dad Reed (Kris Kristofferson), his daughter Hazel (Cozi Zuehlsdorff), young Sawyer Nelson (Nathan Gamble), his mom Lorraine Nelson (Ashley Judd), and Dr. Cameron McCarthy (Morgan Freeman). It’s 5 yrs later, Winter has become an international star with people coming from all over the world to see the dolphin that has a special tail. By doing so, she has propelled the Aquarium into the spotlight which turned the once doomed aquarium into a money making business venture where you wonder what’s more important- money or the animal’s well being. Tragedy strikes as Winter loses her companion and becomes reclusive. The Dr Haskett is written up by the USDA for violating one very important rule: dolphins must always have a same sex companion. By chance, a new baby dolphin is rescued and is brought to CMA to see if she can be rehabbed. Here Dr Haskett and the staff, wrestle with their motto “Rescue, Rehabilitate, Release”.

Here is what I really liked about Dolphin Tale 2. It doesn’t try to be some over the top save the animals type of film. The story is that of course, but the manner it is done is by observing the lives of the people around the dolphins and not making the dolphins something that they are not. It’s also about learning to let go, of taking a stand and learning to do what’s best, no matter how hard it is. It’s just the type of movie you can see with all your family and leave feeling with a feeling of Hope.

Dolphin Tale 2 is now open and is rated PG.