Dolphin Reef is a 2020 DisneyNature documentary directed by Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill that follows a 3 year old bottlenose dolphin and his friends and family that live along the coral reef he calls home.
Dolphin Reef is an interesting case as it was initially meant to be theatrically released for Earth Day in 2018 under the name Dolphins. However, it was quietly removed from the release schedule without and update or reason given. The film did however, receive a theatrical release in France in March of 2018. The following year, it was announced that the documentary would instead be released exclusively to the Disney Plus streaming service. Confusion rose once again when the underwater feature was not available when the service premiered. Finally, just before it finally release, Disney announced that Dolphin Reef would premiere on April 3rd alongside fellow DisneyNature film Elephant to kick-off Earth Month.
Dolphin Reef marks the fourteenth release under the DisneyNature label and the first to exclusively premiere on Disney Plus (alongside Elephant). One of the hallmarks of any top-tier nature documentary (series or film) is the cinematography and Dolphin Reef more than delivers visually. The oceanic setting provides a beautiful backdrop for our finned subjects to thrive against. The underwater shots are stunning achievements as we follow the dolphins to several different territories. We experience the adventures of these beautiful creatures in both grand overhead shots as well as wonderfully intimate engagements.
Natalie Portman provides narration for the film and delivers a fun voice to guide the viewer. Her job is certainly made easier by the infectious joy and playful nature of Echo, who is easy to fall in love with. In addition to him and the other dolphins, we also spend time with a plethora of fish and shell species that live among the reef. A group of humpback whales also have a prevalent story to play that feels a bit disconnected from the rest of the ecosystem.
All of the animal subjects provide for plenty of fun shenanigans that both children and adults will have fun with. However, it is the knowledge the script offers that provides the true value. I was given nuggets of information I was previously unaware of, spanning several of the species highlighted.
Possibly the most impressive feat of the film is that it beautifully highlights the need for balance and teamwork among species for the world to thrive and stay healthy. This message is represented wonderfully by putting a microscope on the ecosystem of a reef. The writers then translate that to human involvement and our own responsibility to work with our surrounding world.
My only concerns with the film overall are minor. Some of the editing seemed to be manipulated for the purpose of creating the narrative the filmmakers were constructing. The animals or habitats weren’t physically tampered with but you can sense that the sequence of events felt out of place to piece together the story. The musical score was also a bit over-whelming for the scenes on display. Often times, the dramatic music turned a beautiful moment into something a bit cheesy.
Ultimately, Dolphin Reef is one of the stronger DisneyNature films to date providing a delightful balance of animal fun with educational gems to make it a learning viewing experience. As we all endure the quarantine, this is a great experience for the entire family that will not only allow you all to laugh and smile but also opens the door for greater conversation about cooperation and all of our role in the health of planet.
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