MOVIE REVIEW - Big Miracle

It's always good when Hollywood makes a movie that the whole family can see together without being a cartoon. I know, they prefer to call it "animation," but it's a cartoon. And Big Miracle is a movie all can see, and enjoy.

Big Miracle is based on a true story from 1988 in Barrow, Alaska. Three whales become trapped in the Arctic Ice, and their survival is dependant on humans somehow banding together from different paths to make it happen. Somehow they must create a way for these whales to reach open water so they can begin their annual journey to the California Baja to mate.

It's a story that brings together the media, Eskimos, Greenpeace, big oil, the U.S. Government, and even the old Soviet Union. All trying to put aside their differences, to make a difference. This movie is also sprinkled with old news footage from the three major networks as they covered the story as it happened. It is over all well told, but embellished at times. That embellishment doesn't make it better, but doesn't kill the good buzz it has going.

Big Miracle does a nice job of developing characters, and the drama between them. The really good decision here was putting the emphasis on the conflict of the characters, and special effects, and movie trickery second. This movie is well told, and steadily paced, with a big cast. Drew Barrymore, John Krasinsky, Ted Danson, Kristen Bell, Dermot Mulroney, and real nice supporting cast as well. Although Barrymore is the absolute weak link in the lead role. Her attempt at playing a huge Greenpeace activist is more whine than spine. But the story is compelling enough, you can look past her completely off target performance.

I always think that the challenge of a movie like this is to keep you glued, when you know the eventual outcome. Even if you are not familiar with the story from 24 years ago, the title tells you the outcome will be positive. And this holds your attention. Told in an emotive style that will make all feel good during the drive home. Plus, the decision to film this in Barrow was paramount. You can feel the cold. Well done.

Big Miracle does go a bit too far in some regards. It basically takes credit for the 1988 Presidential Election where George Bush (number one) wins. They also lead us to believe that Barrymore's character threatens President Reagan's legacy in the waning days of his second term. There are also a few more moments of silliness that can be forgiven, and we can get over this and move on. It's simply a movie, and it's for our enjoyment. There are some very interesting after stories to tell, and that's fun to see. Stay and watch the closing credits.

Big Miracle. Big for the family.