Blackfish

"Never capture what you can't control."

Filmology Rating: 3.25 out of 4

This film was never on my radar, until I read an issue of "Entertainment Weekly" that I has sitting around.  Now I have taken EW with a grain of salt since they bashed the TV show Heroes, but I thought that the subject matter was interesting enough.  I mean I have been to Sea World before, it use to be a must hit place whenever in Orlando.  Even a few weeks ago I was planning a trip to see the new penguin exhibit.

Blackfish is about Tilikum, the orca whale, who has been involved with the death of the trainers.  The documentary looks at not only the consequences to the whales but the consequences to humans that can occur by keeping these animals in captivity.  

The film tries to act like a court case, bringing you back to where it all began and then leading you up to present day.  The film does not attempt to be one sided and might only appear to be that way because Sea World decided to not participate in the documentary.  They even went so far to send critics a letter telling them what was true and false about the film.  Being a critic I must say that I was appalled by that.  The film should speak for itself and if you decide to decline to be interviewed in this film then that fault lies only with you.  

I was shocked by what I saw and needless to say the film moved me.  I walked out of my screening having a few tears, which hardly ever happens for me.  While I know many people are going to say what is the difference between Sea World and zoos, I feel that is an ignorant view on the subject.  A local zoo is not going to ask the trainer to go do a show with the new lion.  My view on the film is more of why do we put people in danger like this?  You have facts that should go against everything you stand for but you turn a blind eye because if you do you will continue to make money.  This film has made me reconsider my trips to Sea World.    

Rating: See It

-Jonny G