1. Did I enjoy it? YES (2 points)
This film actually has a lot of suspense in it for a documentary. Ric O'Barry, former dolphin trainer for the TV series Flipper turned animal activist, joins filmmaker Louie Psihoyos and his crew as they travel to Taiji, Japan. While the town seems to promote dolphins, O'Barry has become aware of a remote cove off its shores where fishermen capture and brutually kill dolphins by the thousands. The killings are so numerous that the entire cove's water turns blood red when the fishermen conduct their "work". Because the Japanese officials in the town want the practice covered up, they refuse to let Psihoyos take any cameras to document what is happening. O'Barry and the crew decide to do it anyway, making a secret trek in the night to plant hidden cameras all around the cove. These scenes are as intense as any thriller. The film also packs with it a lot of emotion, as we find out some of the dolphin meat is being used for school lunches, even though it has dangerously high levels of mercury in it. You can also see how remorseful O'Barry is, who realized that the dolphins he trained for Flipper were so unhappy with their captivity that one "chose" to end his life by refusing to breathe when he had the opportunity. O'Barry then spent his life freeing dolphins held in captivity, being jailed on many occassions. This is a fascinating story that I knew nothing about before watching. What a nice surprise.
2. Would I watch it again? MAYBE (1 point)
I may not be as passionate as O'Barry about his cause, but he did make me feel that way while I was watching it. I encourage anyone to see this film, it will make you aware of an issue that threatens not only dolphins, but anyone who has one for supper.
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