Flipper (1996)

My Review

“Flipper” is an innocuous family film about a boy who forms a friendship with a dolphin whom he names Flipper, while on vacation in Florida. Director-screenwriter Alan Shapiro kept the film on an even keel, with what may be a formula storyline that is predictable but entertaining in a gentle way. It is based on the 1963 movie of the same name, which spawned the television series of 1964-1967, which many of us remember.

It stars Paul Hogan and Elijah Wood, who would go on to star in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy (2001-2003). They have good chemistry here as father and son. Co-stars Jessica Wesson, Jonathan Banks, Isaac Hayes, Chelsea Field, Jason Fuchs, and Luke Halpin. The watchable “Flipper” was not too terrible successful at the box office for Universal Pictures.