User reviews

Well... it was somewhat entertaining and had decent cinematography. Unfortunately, how can this compete against any David Attenborough BBC series? Plus, after seeing a handful, it's clear that all Disney does is get some pretty good footage and then add anthropomorphic sound effects and manipulative narration and editing to create a story similar to any generic Disney animate film (not Pixar). It's not a bad watch, but no need to spend your time.

Stunning video. Natalie Portman narrates this beautifully

While some DisneyNature documentaries are better than others, they are mostly very interesting and a common factor is that they are extremely well made. As well as having amazing animals. When it comes to the music and the narration (writing and delivery), those are the aspects where the quality is variable. Saw 2018's 'Dolphin Reef' for DisneyNature documentary completest sake, as well as being a great fan of nature documentaries, Disney in general and the intimate approach to the storytelling. As well as liking Natalie Portman as an actress.

As far as the DisneyNature documentaries go, to me 'Dolphin Reef' to me is easily one of the best. It is one of the more illuminating ones in terms of information, if not quite as much as David Attenborough (incomparable when it comes to nature documentaries) at his best, and when it comes to the narration 'Dolphin Reef' is one of the few where this aspect is not a problem. Both in how it's written and delivered, when it is often uneven or a weak point even in the good ones.

'Dolphin Reef' isn't quite perfect. While it is good showing that life under the sea has its challenges for the animals, the two suspenseful scenes don't quite gel with the gentle tone that the story generally has. And the challenges/dangers faced as shown here actually could have been more suspenseful and a little on the tame side, other documentaries do better at the feeling of "how on earth was this filmed?".

However, as usual for DisneyNature 'Dolphin Reef' looks wonderful. Underwater has always looked beautiful in nature documentaries, and 'Dolphin Reef' contains some of the most awe-inspiring underwater footage seen in a while. The atmosphere is also nailed, the world is both beautiful and suitably unforgiving and enhanced by the ever spectacular photography. The music is not too loud or constant and it's not too jaunty or ominous. There is atmosphere and a soothing one.

The narration is a rare case for the DisneyNature documentaries where there are no issues to be found. In terms of writing, it was honest, entertaining and informative with no overuse of jokiness or mawkish sentimentality. Portman does a lovely job delivering it, it is gentle and sympathetic but never sounds phoned in and instead it was like she was reading a bedtime story. No over-eagerness or cutesiness.

Loved the footage too. Stunningly shot and not only has a vast emotional impact, a big amount of charm and soothing quality on the whole but it always educates and fun and moving to watch. The story is entertaining, sweet without being sugar heavy and tear-inducing, without veering into soap opera. The pacing is better than most DisneyNature documentaries too, it isn't jumpy and it isn't dull. The animals are a visual feast and have great personalities that are worth rooting for. All without coming over as too humanised. It was amazing seeing dolphins on film and it made me wonder why we don't see them in documentaries enough.

Overall, very good and one of the better DisneyNature documentaries. 8/10

Great family movie. Story line camera footage and narration all very professional and most importantly entertaining.

Gather your family to watch together this beautiful documentary, some of the best whales and dolphins footage I've seen so far, besides those eye-tearing scenes of colorful reefs.

I can't even begin to imagine who had the courage to get this al on tape. It must have been terrifying and breathtaking all at once. Such vivid enabling footage you can't stop yourself from being astonished.

I felt like at one point in life I too was Echo. The Ocean Kingdom is so relatable and now all I want to do is get up and clean the ocean. What a work of Art, thank you Disney

Some of the most breathtaking underwater cinematography ever seen may be seen in "Dolphin Reef". The film shows off the vibrant hues of the coral reef and the variety of animals that live there, taking viewers to a world full of life. Every shot is a visual feast, with anything from bright schools of fish darting amid the coral to playful dolphins gliding through the water with grace.

While viewers, especially young ones, will undoubtedly be enthralled with the playful dolphins, "Dolphin Reef" presents a far more comprehensive viewpoint. The movie explores the complex network of life in the coral reef, emphasizing how different marine animals are related to one another. You'll learn more about each species' crucial role in preserving the fragile balance of this undersea ecosystem as the story progresses.

A compelling documentary, "Dolphin Reef" is appropriate for audiences of all ages. Young brains are captivated by the captivating narration, which makes difficult ecological topics approachable and inspires wonder and curiosity. The film's examination of the circle of life and the problems the reef faces as a result of human activity can spark meaningful conversations and increase family knowledge of environmental issues.

Even though seeing dolphins is unquestionably one of the movie's highlights, it's important to keep in mind that "Dolphin Reef" is primarily concerned with the coral reef environment. This documentary might not be your first choice if all you want is an in-depth examination of dolphin behavior and social dynamics.

I LOVED watching this with my daughter! We are both fans of dolphins and we loved watching the story. My daughter learned a lot that she never knew before.This is a great family film and I look forward to watching it again!

Beautifully captured Disney+ documentary about dolphins.

Natalie Portman's narration is both confident and captivating.

Lovely movie to watch together with your family - adults and children alike will enjoy this one.

Lovely and uplifting story for all fans of Disney nature documentaries.

Natalie Portman is an accomplished narrator who carries the movie without her voice being overwhelming.

Really enjoyed this, I was captivated throughout the entire storyline.

Highly recommend.

This 'documentary' takes footage from a National Geographic doc about Floroda dolphins and weaves it into Disney's story about alleged Polynesian dolphins. The only place where dolphins make a mud ring to hunt fish is in Florida, which is definitely not in Polynesia. Look it up. The mud ring footage was taken from Nat Geo's accurate and very good movie (which is also on Disney Plus) and drops it into the Dolphin Reef movie. It's laughable. The landscape and water are quite obviously different and clearly not in Polynesia. Dolphin Reef is a sham, a joke and should be enjoyed for the visuals, not the information.

This is just a joy to listen to and visually magnificent. It looks almost real. Definitely a good quality piece. What a real difference and good actress makes to the story. It is truly nice to watch? it never feels sugary but interesting. She really has a gift. In comparison with the terribly-voiced second documentary of the series ( elephant) this is the real Disney + endless magic.

Great documentary for kids and adults. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Excellent footage. The story telling by Natalie Portman just take you another level.

The kids watched both of the new documentaries and both kept them quiet but this one for me was just beautiful, I knew somethings about dolphins as I'm an Attenborough devotee but this was informative and beautifully shot. The narrator hit the spot nicely unlike the the other one I watched which was irksome and wondered why the had not chosen a man to do it. The film action was not something I had seen before and it held my attention and the kids loved it.

I was really impressed on how this was put together, it seemed so real and enjoyed watching the dolphins swim to the Pacific Ocean , I really liked your voice and you made if so real . Its differently the kind of movie that I would tell my friend to watch with their children. I look forward to the next one,thank you for Sharing and good luck in the future.

Such a shame is so underrated. should promote it more. mind blowing shooting, all the camera angles and everything. natalie portman such a great voice acting. never seen such an artistic documentary before, beautiful storyline. im also a cameraman so thank you for the making-of shots at the end,...i was really wondering on some of them. very excited about your movie. thanks! i'll watch the others too.

The footage was beautiful and the lines were well thought-out! Natalie Portman was an amazing narrator and was very clear in what she was saying. While stuck in the house my family and I all enjoyed watching this new film on Disney+!

I would say this movie isn't the best disneynature movie because it seems to not really focus on the dolphins as much as I thought. Also, it is kind of confusing to me that they have a Disney plus exclusive Disney nature movie because I feel like you should be able to get them on DVD but that's just me. Anyways, I would say the movie is okay if you want excellent photography focused mainly on the reef, so 8/10.

I enjoyed Natalie Portman's voiceover, and learning about dolphins is fascinating. I only wish Natalie Portman also did the voiceover for elephants.

The last unexplored frontier, the oceans are beautifully depicted through the eyes of a young dolphin, Echo who is coming of age in the Polynesian Islands in this Disneynature feature. The documentary is a treat on the eyes from start to finish, and leaves you wondering how the magnificent otherworldly shots were captured.

Stunning 10/10. Excellent narration and beautiful pictures!

This documentary piece of work is wonderful. Great captures, and you feel you're living each moment in the deepest spots in the sea. It also gives many pieces of info. about other living creatures beside the dolphins.

Really appreciate this work.. Special Thanks to the whole crew!

1 star for debunking shark "Jaws myth;" another star for enhanced 20 YR OLD clips to fool viewers reefs are pristine. Portman's narration is average. Disney Nature in ost 8 years buys old clips, enhances them, adds new narration ,& releases outdated docus as current- a LIE!! . This has SO many errors, it's pure fairytale. See "Puff" on Netflix for gorgeous docu of reef & ecosystem, beautifully narrated & will not scare kids.

This fantasy flick errors: *tiger sharks are named for striped fins & do not eat other sharks. Facts: Nature controls all top predators by limited breeding & few survive. 1 of 1000 sharks reach adulthood. All whales breed every 4- 5 yrs & most calf's die incl mothers.

*Coral reefs are vital to sea health & land; reefs do NOT "regenerate if left alone." Reefs only regenerate IF sea conditions are perfect 1 in 3-4 yrs; warming seas can kill floating billions of delicate eggs & microcosms that can create a new reef.

*Dolphin "echo" shown is spotted Polynesian dolphin NEVER hunts in mud rings. Fact: Only Florida bottle nose dolphins use mud rings to hunt.

Fact: Here, "Echo" shown is hunted YRLY in Japan's bloody brutal cruel killing spree, After witnessing entire screaming long slaughter of his entire family, young & pretty baby dolphins are captured & imprisoned for life in many global aquariums lead by Sea World. Most young captured dolphins die of shock, incl young orcas. See "Seaspiracy" Netflix (2009) no gore, just facts.

*Curse of dolphins' upward mouth curve causes ppl to believe suffering dolphin is smiling & "happy". NO. Dead dolphins have SAME "smile." Dolphins DO experience joy & play, express happy vocal language; surf when FREE with family & friends.

*Fact: 47% of degrading poison sea plastic are dumped fishing nets that kill / poison ALL marine life, including ppl, for decades. No one enforces anti dumping net laws nor removes lethal countless miles of drifting nets with billions of attached hooks.

Fact: Bleaching is killing most reefs due to daily global pollution, & warming seas bc since start of mankind, ALL tribes / govts use ocean as global dump for every toxin, test sites for nuclear bombs; endangered marine life especially blue whales die from ship strikes bc ships use a KNOWN whale areas instead of using route 1/2 mile around. Fossil fuel adds to global warming.

Fact: LA/ San Pedro enlarged port built intentionally over deep chasm where blue whales regularly eat krill. Past 8 yrs blue whales are regularly struck & killed; ppl trying to film this are literally shot at by fishermen.

None of these listed critical facts are in this nonsensical fictional film posing as docu.

Remedy: be responsible with all chemical / household trash by using designated hazard trash sites every garbage co contains. Be conscious of WHAT foods U buy, esp sea food that contains 10x more mercury. "No dolphin kill label" on tuna is LIE. Label is bought by big corps fishing industry to FOOL consumer.

See Puff, Seaspiracy, Chasing Coral (Netflix); BBC Blue Planet 1 & 2. Def skip this silly fake fiction.

Focused on a dolphin called Echo in a lively tone; it has a charming Disney tone to it.

Too much whales and orcas which weren't directly related to reefs that much.

Too subtle about environmental issues but it was mainly for younger generations.

Family-friendly.

Dazzling, beautiful, well-made, professional, atmospheric, lively, cool, fun-tone, engaging, wonderful, interesting, exciting, adventurous, amazing & charming.

Great direction. Very good screenplay. Great production. Very good voice acting. Good edits. Great film score. Great audio mixing/editing. Great cinematography. Cool tone. Moderate-paced. Well-balanced.

I loved it.

8/10.