Dolphin Kick

“You that feeling you get, when you look down at the pool and you start to inch your way in because you don't want to feel the water? My mom used to tell us you're supposed to feel stuff, so don't cheat yourself out of a great moment. You can spend your whole life waiting with your toes in the water...or you could just dive in.” The film Dolphin kick opens with this quote and immediately sets the tone and message for the film. This is great because it hooks your audience and they want to know what else you have to say. Right away you know that this is a film with heart.

Dolphin Kick is a 2019 film directed by Phillip Marlatt, and written by Travis McCoy as well as Jordan Pedreira. Travis McCoy also plays the part of Clint who is a single father who shines in this film. McCoy probably does the best acting job throughout, with Alexis Louder (Nova) coming in a close second. When it comes to child actors, it's very hit and or miss and that is very much the case with Clints children. Skylar (Tyler Jade Nixon) and Luke (Axle McCoy) try very hard but they don not quite hit the mark. And then there's the villains, the most notable being Naz (Devaughn Gow) who is way over the top and now a believable villain.

The soundtrack in Dolphin Kick is excellent. It works very well with the visuals on screen and with the playful tone of the film. There's a few dance break montage scenes that remind you that its a fun kids movie. While there's lots to love, it definitely has its problems like every other movie. The film is very informational which is good but it's delivery feels off. Many of Novas scenes feel like the viewer is in a class about dolphins and she's lecturing us. Just giving us one fact after another. This is at the fault of the writers because they could have been educational but inside the flow of the film.

Dolphin Kick is a very fun, harmless movie that kids will love. It could become a kids classic like other films such as Free Willy or Dolphin Tale. Every time the dolphin comes on screen, you can't help but smile and have fun. The happiness the dolphins gives to these children is contagious and the viewer will leave this film feeling good which is all you can ask from it.

Dolphin Kick (2019)
Directed by Philip Marlatt
Written by Travis McCoy, Jordan Pedreira
Starring Tyler Jade Nixon, Axle McCoy, Travis McCoy, Alexis Louder, DeVaughn Gow, Tim Ogletree, LaVaughan Hamilton, Maya Simmons, Quddus Newton, Tomii Culmer, Jordan Pedreira, Erin Reign
Produced by Travis McCoy, Derek Lee Nixon
Cinematography by Shaun Hart
Film Editing by Raul Calderon-Castillo, Scott Roon

Saw January 25, 2019 press screening link.

Note de JamesBuckley: