The Whale Reviews

The Whale defies all the odds to make people reconsider what they thought they knew about orcas, the so-called killer whale.

Full Review | Original Score: 8/10

The delicate, understated dignity of the story's presentation (particularly the scenes portraying the bond between the aboriginal people and Luna) pays off with resonance, especially in the film's final stages.

Full Review

A congenial, though slow-starting, look at an amazing animal.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4

There's no denying that filmmakers Suzanne Chisholm and Michael Parfit captured spectacular shots of both wildlife and picturesque scenery of evergreen-lined water under vibrant pink sunsets.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4

Stylistically raw and unpolished but appropriate to [...] details of emotional intimacy and the messiness of life's balance and imbalances.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

Thoughtful and moving, if often heavy-handed...

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

Nature lovers and animal activists will find much that speaks to them in this slender, resonant tale.

Full Review

Educational, entertaining, and discussion-provoking "The Whale" is a family-friendly documentary that grows on its audience very quickly.

Full Review | Original Score: B

Avoids the pat solutions of movies geared to children like "Free Willy" but should be seen by them nonetheless since it is a necessary introduction to the problem posed by human encroachment on marine life that can lead to their extinction.

Full Review

A documentary ideal for schoolrooms, family viewing and discussion.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

Serious-minded, thought-provoking animal documentary will have a lengthy life, mostly in ancillary markets.

Full Review

Parents should know that the ending makes the last moments of this family-friendly documentary as tough as "Bambi." But the lessons about friendship are gigantic, indeed.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

While The Whale indulges in hippyish sentiments about the connection between man and beast a little too often, the footage of Luna at play is singular and breathtaking.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

Touching nature docu gets too emotional for littlest kids.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

The film potently address the interconnectedness between seemingly divergent species in fascinating ways.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4

A gorgeous and provocative film that consistently rises above its Flipper-ish genre.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4

The sort of doc that presents an issue that's never quite fleshed out enough to present real solutions

Full Review | Original Score: C+

Docu dotes on its adorable, highly photogenic star, but nonstop voiceover commentary and exclamations of wonderment tend to lessen rather than enhance its impact.

Full Review

While they fluff up the conflict between the "no touching" feds and Luna-besotted locals, all parties are simply too polite, decent, and Canadian for any real drama.

Full Review

This is not "Free Willy" - nor, unfortunately, is there quite enough here to sustain a feature-length documentary.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4