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Flipper
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Manufacturer: Universal Studios
Find all by Universal Studios
Directed By: Alan Shapiro
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Theatrical Release: May 17, 1996
Average Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
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Retail Price: $5.98
Online Sale Price: $5.98
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Starring: Paul Hogan, Elijah Wood, Jonathan Banks, Robert Deacon, Ann Carey
Dive into adventure in the sun-drenched Florida Keys with Paul Hogan and Elijah Wood as they have the time of their lives in this action-packed family favorite. When Sandy Ricks (Wood) is sent to Coral Key to stay with his salty Uncle Porter (Hogan) for the summer, he never dreamed he'd become best mates with a feisty, orphaned dolphin named Flipper. In no time, the two new friends become caught up in a series of high-seas escapades and Sandy discovers a whole new outlook on life, in this heartwarming adventure.
User Submitted Flipper Reviews
September 9, 2007
After Sea World...Flipper
We took our grandsons to Sea World this summer...when we came home, the 4 year old kept talking about the Dolphin. So I "re-found" Flipper at Amazon...and all the kids are delighted!!!
September 7, 2007
Flipper
A delightful movie that I enjoyed watching with a friend. I am looking forward to sharing it with my grandchildren, ages 3 & 6.
August 12, 2007
flipper 1996 the movie is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I mean it from my heart when I say i've never seen a more beautiful movie!
I love dolphins, and I'm gonna be a dolphin trainer. THIS movie inspired me so much. It's awesome! and there is so many times during this movie I cry! because it's so touching! especially when sandy and flipper becomes friends and swim together for the first time!
and when sandy tells him to go back to his family...that is so touching!!!
Elijah looks hot aswell:)
EVERYTHING IS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!
June 8, 2007
This chemistry just didn't work for me.
I was alive when I saw the original movie released that lead to the TV series starring Luke Halpin and Tommy Norden. I bought this film simply because I have loved Paul Hogan's work and adore Elijah Wood. So I took a chance.
In merit to this film and its premise, this film's take off of "Flipper" shows a more disfunctional family approach to the Ricks family we see in the old 1960's TV series. Elijah Wood, who plays Sandy in this film, is sent to stay with Ranger Ricks for one summer. You presume Sandy's mother can not take care of him for the summer, while she pays Porter Ricks, played by Paul Hogan; $100 a week to take care of the boy. I don't know who can get by on $100 a week these days let alone in 2003 when this film was made. Porter Ricks living conditions are quite a far cry from the clean environment and ethics taught in the old 1965 tv series. Since this film is drawing from the original characters created from the 1965 series, it makes sense to make a rough comparison. This film in other words can not just be judged for its own merits alone, since it draws from the old 60's Tv series in premise.
There is no sign of Bud in this film or hint to a sequel that might introduce him and frankly, it was the relationship between Flipper and Bud that made the old 1960's tv series work so well. Tommy Norden was not only a cute kid to watch, but had a fabulous personality as a young actor.
The character development in this film needed allot of work, not to mention somekind of decent story line. In the opening, Sandy and Porter Ricks seem distant from each other and don't really seem that much closer by the time it all reaches the end of the film.
Flipper appears into this half hazardly via Sandy witnessing some fishermen killing Flipper's mother and, for some reason, Flipper is drawn to Sandy after roaming the oceans with no pod or family. How he finds Sandy isn't clear either when there is no earthly way a dolphin, as intelligent as Flipper, could have known where Sandy lived.
I liked that Flipper tracked Sandy down in his lonliness, but it would have made more sense if Sandy had tried to rescue Flipper from the gunman, who shot Flipper's mother, which caused this bonding to take place, while leaving a clue for the dolphin to find Sandy. You really have no idea why flipper is drawn to Sandy, other than the fact that Flipper gets lonily, in need of a family, and magically tracks him down.
The dolphin in this movie is cute; that goes without saying. Makes me think of the mechanical dolphin, named Darwin, they used in SeaQuest.
I think this film would have had allot more going for it, if they had simply worked to create somekind of story that brings Ricks, Sandy and Flipper together via stuggle and need for each other. It seems the story was trying to do that along the way, but kept missing.
Frankly, this story really does not go anywhere and that's ashame. You can read other reviews to get some idea of what the story is about. Otherwise I think the chemistry between Paul Hogan, as an actor, and Elijah Wood, as an actor, could have really worked in this film. They both are excellent actors when it comes down to it. It just seems the whole thing was slapped together with the idea in mind; "This will sell, everyone loves Flipper", but we also like a good story or it doesn't work.
Also, as long as the character "Sandy" was going to be used in this remake, it makes no sense to take away Bud from the family profile; given this film is drawing from the original work of the original film and tv series of the 1960's.
Cinematography wise; this film is done well, but I can see why it would have been hard to even make a sequel with this, simply because the story really goes no where or at least in a direction that might even suggest a sequel.
I felt very lost at the end when Sandy goes home at summer's end to be with his mom: At least you think it is his mom, even though that isn't made clear in the script. He's allowed to come back next summer to visit Porter Ricks, but the whole thing just comes apart with this type of ending when you consider the original premise of the Ricks family of the 1960's and that they were a family. You don't see that happening here, even though the writer is drawing from the old 1960's series. Too bad.
I hate to give anything a number 2 rating. Can't imagine how anyone could have blown it with something as delightful as Flipper, but this one really isn't worth your money. It's more a rental film or something to pass your time when nothing else is on tv to watch.
October 25, 2006
4 year olds love it!
My four year old daughter is in love with this film. We rented it from the library and she asked to "own" it so I ordered her one for a Christmas present. Yes a dolphin does get shot in the beginning but you don't actually see the animal get hit, (an older child would be able to put it together)but a hammerhead shark does eat a seagull and there is blood involved. But otherwise this is a fun, lighthearted movie.
March 9, 2006
Flipper Movie
My 4 year old son loves this movie, he watches it over and over...the hammerhead shark makes him a little nervous, but the dolphins beat up the shark, and he loves that part...
July 31, 2005
I MIGHT Get It For Christmas.
I love Elijah Wood, and I know that this would make a great part of my movie lair of his films. I already do have Lord Of The Rings, Oliver Twist and Forever Young. I added this to my Christmas wish list, so I might get it. You never know.
December 7, 2004
Flippin good! A splash of fun!
I really enjoyed this movie! It's very cute and quite funny in places, has decent acting and of course the dolphin is simply delightful!
Sandy (played by a tender Elijah Wood) is a rebellious teenager from Chicago who is sent to stay with his Uncle (aussie Paul Hogan) over the summer. Thinking there will be NOTHING to do accept fish on a crummy boat for 8 weeks, Sandy finds pleasure out of being difficult and objective. However things take a turn when he saves the life of a friendly and intelligent dolphin, who later on becomes known as Flipper and the two soon develop a strong friendship.
Being an Australian, it was great to see an old classic in this movie to bring a little something extra. Elijah Wood did a wonderful job i thought! Best known for his portrayal as Frodo in the "lord of the rings" Wood shows real profession at such a young age.
And i wont finish without mentioning the beautiful dolphin! Those animals are such a joy to watch because you can really sense that they are smiling! He was simply beautiful! Children are going to love the several sequences in which Flipper dives and plays in the water. Beautiful cinematography!
So in conclusion, "Flipper" is just wonderfully light and fun escape from heavier films and the other destractions of life. It'll make you wanna jump in the pool and you will laugh in several places. Good acting and gorgeous animal interaction work together to make this sweet tale of friendship a pleasure to watch over again!
June 4, 2004
Disappointing and not for kids
The name of the movie is misleading. Very little is about flipper. It's about a boy, an older man and their problems. Not much of their behaviour that I would call good guidance for children. Even worse, the movies' first scences have dolphins shown as they are being shot by sports fishermen. I don't see how that can be entertaining to kids.
Sorry, but this one shouldn't be allowed to have the name "Flipper" on it.
August 15, 2003
Great Flick
I originally bought this movie for my 9-year-old daughter who is a huge fan of both dolphins and Elijah Wood. I didn't expect, however, that the entire family would enjoy it as much as we did! The story was interesting, suspensful and heart-warming. The acting was good -- not cheesy at all (as was another reviewer's opinion). The only complaint I had was the occasional (and unecessary) profanity ... which from what I could tell would be the only reason for it's PG rating. Otherwise this a great movie for the entire family and I would highly recommend it.
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