At a time when so much children’s entertainment can feel hyperactive and shrill, Dolphin Tale 2 seems decidedly old fashioned. The critics say that’s mostly a good thing — this gentle, thoughtful family drama isn’t particularly exciting, but it looks great and delivers positive messages with a minimum of schlock. Since being rescued and rehabilitated in the first film, Winter is doing just fine, but her companion has recently died. Thus, our heroes — a team comprised of marine biologists and animal rescue staffers — need to find Winter a new companion or she will be removed from the aquarium as required by law. The pundits say that while Dolphin Tale 2 is narratively thin and slackly paced, its heartfelt, inspirational story is likely to resonate with families. (Check out this week’s Total Recall, in which count down Morgan Freeman’s best-reviewed films, and watch our video interviews with Freeman and co-stars Harry Connick Jr. and Ashley Judd.)
It looks like the people behind No Good Deed were afraid it would be punished by the critics, since it wasn’t screened prior to its release in theaters. It’s the story of an ex-district attorney (Taraji P. Henson) who tries to help a stranger (Idris Elba) who claims to have car trouble. However, once she invites him into her home, his real motives prove to be much more sinister. It’s time to guess the Tomatometer!