"Bernie The Dolphin"

We all love a good old fun family film with kids and animals standing up for what's right. They never seems to be enough of them out there so they keep making more. Many fall flat by relying on bumbling crooks and slap stick comedy, but then there are those that test the protagonist and shows them what they're made of when things get tough especially when it involve family.

Kevin and Holly Ryan (Logan Allen and Lola Sultan) are closer than most brothers and sisters. They share a love of going out on the water where they live in St. Augustine, Florida, hanging out a small island where they set up their own hang out and the local dolphins including one they named Bernie.
Meanwhile their dad Bob (Patrick Muldoon) is eagerly anticipating a potential promotion from his boss Winston Mills (Kevin Sorbo), all he has to do is acquire a piece of property and its almost guaranteed. Yet when Kevin and Holly discover that their dad's boss is involved in unlawful activities like removing endangered turtle eggs from their island hang out in order to use the land for a renovation plan that will cause pollution to the ocean and the activity from his men has caused Bernie to beach himself and become badly sunburned and having to be rescued its up to them to convince their father that not all is as it seems. Yet when he doesn't believe them, they have to take matters into their own hands to get the evidence they need to prove to everyone that Mills is up to no good and to protect Bernie before he's released back into the wild or Bernie may become the endangered species.

While this film would probably not win an Oscar, it definitely doesn't deserve a Razzie either. Comedic situations are kept to a minimum which usually kills family films like this, so I'm glad to say this film will not become endangered of being another straight to dvd flop. This has just the right amount of heart when it comes to family and teaches the importance of the role we play in protecting the ocean and all of its creatures from those who would mean to do it harm as well as from ourselves.
One particular thing I liked is the realistic means these kids use to bring justice to a corrupt entrepreneur that isn't exaggerated and unlikely for most kids to be able to pull off making it so believable that no matter what your age you're capable of making a difference. So in light of that, I give four of my G.M.Stars for this aquatic gem of a family film in the hopes you'll dive into it during your next movie night.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Green Mountain Stars

"Bernie The Dolphin" is available at Redbox and where movies are sold/streamed.

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