Flipper

This is a feel-good family film that very much follows the heart-warming and fun adventure elements of the 1960s Flipper TV-series. It involves teenager Sandy Ricks (Elijah Wood), who is sent by his mom to live in the Coral Key with his Uncle Porter Ricks (Paul Hogan). At first, Sandy wasn't too keen on his new home, but that soon changes when meets a dolphin named Flipper. This friendship leads to a stronger relationship between uncle and nephew fascinating adventures for Sandy.

As Paul Hogan hasn't done much films since his Crocodile Dundee days, it was great seeing him in the Porter Ticks role, in which I think he gave a comical yet touching performance. Elijah Wood did a nice job portraying Sandy Ricks, and he has a touching on-screen chemistry with the wonderful dolphin. Luke Halpin, the original Sandy Ricks from the TV-series, plays one of the bounty fisherman in the movie. The story is a little slow at times, but the fun dolphin adventures make up for it.

The oceanside scenery is breath-taking and beautiful, reminding you of a care-free, relaxing and therapeutic atmosphere. Overall, it is a heart-warming and innocent film that is great for the entire family and a great substitute to many of the over-the-top action and teen-flick nonsense youngsters endure.

Grade B

We watched this movie to count the number of times EW falls. Which is 6 times. We also decided to include a gratuitious butt shot count and a buggy eyed scene count. 5 and 12 respectively. We laughed many times mostly at own commentary which was better then the movie. And the wonderful rock t-shirt collection. I recommend that you watch if you must. Like if your ever baby sitting little ones and they happen to have it go for it. Otherwise stick to LOTR as Frodo is less creepy....okay not really. I have to go --- flipper's on. p.s we are not EW fans.

I can't believe I didn't see Flipper years ago although Free Willy is superior! Elijah Wood is so cool I really like so many of his roles. Sad that there's menacing bits and that it couldn't just be a sweet movie the whole time otherwise pretty good for what it. Lovely music, charm, cinematography, and feel-good vibes!

This wasn't too bad a film as a kid spends a summer with his uncle and strikes up a friendship with a girl and a...dolphin! He learns about life as he cares for the marine mammal, and it winds up caring for him. This is by no means a great movie, but passable family entertainment. I loved the underwater scenes and the scenes with the fish and the ones with Paul Hogan and the kid and the final showdown scene. You might like it too.

** 1/2 out of ****

I was rather appalled to see the low rating this movie received here, personally considering it fun family fare. It revolves around a young teenager, Sandy Ricks, who is sent by his mom to Coral Key to spend the summer with his Uncle Porter. While there he befriends a dolphin named Flipper. Lots of adventures ensue amid the predictable nephew / uncle bonding as well as a little romance for Sandy with a local girl.

I'm a great Crocodile Dundee fan myself so absolutely loved Paul Hogan in his role as crusty and comical Uncle Porter. For starters, he keeps an endless stock of Spaghetti-O's in his house to serve as his usual meal, heated with a blowtorch! Elija Wood, Frodo from The Lord of the Rings, appeared quite competent playing the young Sandy, a boy at first none too fond of his forced summer vacation locale.

Of course the dolphin is magnificent and there are some wonderful underwater scenes. Set in the Florida Keys, it was apparently filmed in the Bahamas. This adaptation of Flipper makes great family entertainment, a sweet, sentimental, and fun movie that is infinitely superior to many of the cinematic offerings for youngsters nowadays.