Review: Iranian Animator's "Dolphin Boy" with a Sea Tale

Dec 17, 2024 at 9:00 AM
The story of a human baby rescued by a dolphin and raised among them is a unique and thought-provoking concept. Iranian animator Mohammad Kheirandish brings this extraordinary tale to life in his work. The baby, who fell into the ocean after a plane crash, grows up believing he is a dolphin, adding an element of confusion and wonder to the narrative.

Unraveling the Incoherence of a Dolphin-Raised Human

Section 1: The Family Adventure Begins

Even very young kids might sense something strange in this family adventure. Just like "The Jungle Book at sea," a human baby is rescued by a dolphin named Snowball and becomes part of the dolphin family. To make the impossible seem somewhat plausible, the dolphins take the baby to the surface for air regularly. By the end of the movie, however, the least of the narrative issues is a human breathing underwater.This scene sets the stage for a story that challenges our understanding of nature and family. The baby's journey from the ocean to the land in search of his mother is filled with unexpected twists and turns.

Section 2: The Similarity in Animation

There is a remarkable degree of sameness in the animation of the different creatures. Fish, dolphins, and humans all have that same pop-eyed expression, which gives the story a unique visual style. When the boy discovers the truth about his origins after Snowball blurts out the story of the crash, it adds another layer of complexity to the narrative.This similarity in animation not only makes the story visually distinct but also raises questions about our perception of different species and their similarities.

Section 3: Borrowed Moments from Other Movies

Some of the best parts of the film feel like they were borrowed from better movies. For example, when the boy steps on dry land for the first time and topples over due to unused legs, it reminds us of a scene from "The Little Mermaid." His first experience of a restaurant and realizing what humans do to his fish friends is reminiscent of the Pixar movie "Luca."These borrowed moments add an interesting dynamic to the story, showing how different movies can influence and inspire one another.

Section 4: The Voicework and Storyline

The lifeless, robotic voicework of the actors dubbing the film into English gives it a soulless feel. This, combined with the mind-numbingly complicated storyline about what actually happened to the boy's mother, makes the overall viewing experience less than satisfactory.It makes one wonder about the importance of proper voice acting and a coherent storyline in bringing a movie to life.In conclusion, this Iranian animation offers a unique and challenging story that combines elements of fantasy, family, and confusion. While it has its moments of borrowed charm, it also leaves much to be desired in terms of voicework and storyline coherence. Owners of small children might want to look for other entertainment options during the holidays.