Dolphin Tale 2 | 2.5/5

SINGAPORE — We wonder why director Charles Martin Smith decided on a sequel for Dolphin Tale, since the first one was merely ... watchable.

Don’t get me wrong, the second instalment of Dolphin Tale is equally as adorable as the first, with enough dolphin cartwheels and charming tail flukes to justify the marine mammal’s screen presence. But while it’s entertaining, it’s not compelling enough for us to sit through another two hours of underwater tossing and turning.

Set at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, the movie explores a deeper relationship between Sawyer Nelson (played by Nathan Gamble) and the dolphin he rescued, Winter. He’s torn between going away for school and staying put by his pet dolphin’s side.

There’s also a battle of sorts with the suits and Clay Haskett (Harry Connick Jr.), the head of the aquarium, who squabble over dolphin captivity issues on legal moral ground. The events seem simple enough to follow, but familiar audiences may grow restless at the slow-developing plot and lengthy storyline.

It seemed as if Smith strived to jam Winter’s entire life story, from the rescue operation to his elaborate mating rituals, into a two-hour movie. Frankly, it’s way too long for any animal-related movie, let alone one with a dolphin as the main star. Divergent actress Ashley Judd and the legendary Morgan Freeman were also roped into the film in a seemingly attempt to make it seem fresh.

The movie does okay for a feel-good romp and there is a temptation to review the entire film by simply listing the sheer admiration at the production crew’s effort in making Winter achieve all those stunts: Tosses, flips, dives and turns, leaps, playing with balls and even dog tricks like playing dead. Although frankly, we could’ve done without all the “motivational music”. But hey, that’s just personal preference.

(PG, 113 mins)