Dolphin Tale 2 - B-

Rated PG, 107 minutes
Wes's Grade: B

Heartwarming "Dolphin Tale 2" is nothing new, but still swims pleasantly along

The most previous summer saw a dearth of decent family films, and the new based-on-a-story dramedy "Dolphin Tale 2," the sequel to the clever 2011 family hit "Dolphin Tale," should fill in the gap just nicely. It's hardly anything new, but heartwarming tale will charm as much as the first one did. The team of people (including Nathan Gamble, Harry Connick Jr., Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Kris Kristofferson, Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman) who saved Winter's life reassemble in the wake of her surrogate mother's passing in order to find her a companion so she can remain at the Clearwater Marine Hospital. When a baby female dolphin named Hope is rescued by Clearwater, fingers are crossed in hopes Winter and Hope can get along. Written and directed by Charles Martin Smith, who helmed the first "Dolphin Tale" and who also appears here briefly (he's also an actor still most recognizable for his iconic role as Terry "The Toad" from "American Graffiti"), "Dolphin Tale 2" is less original and tends to ride the coattails of its cute predecessor, but it's an enjoyable, uplifting family film that becomes too irresistible especially in its later chapters, to really dislike. This outing is thinner and more episodic as it strives to search for a companion for Winter, who charmed us so much in the first film, and just when you think the film might belly flop under a meandering plot, in comes the baby dolphin Hope (who, like Winter, plays herself here), who steals the movie and provides the film's most tender moments. Add in another cute dolphin named Mandy, a big sea turtle named Mavis and a pelican named Rufus for comedic appeal, not to mention a cameo from "Soul Surfer" herself, Bethany Hamilton, and you have something for nearly everyone in the family. Remarkably, if you stay over through the end credits you'll see that all of the animals (including Winter, Hope, Mandy, Rufus and Mavis), are real characters, which only adds to the charm of the film. Admittedly, from the first frames of the film you have a sinking feeling of how this will all turn out, and on that note "Dolphin Tale 2" offers few surprises, but that doesn't mean you won't leave with a smile on your face. Predictable, pleasant fun.