While some DisneyNature documentaries are better than others, they are mostly very interesting and a common factor is that they are extremely well made. As well as having amazing animals. When it comes to the music and the narration (writing and delivery), those are the aspects where the quality is variable. Saw 2018's 'Dolphin Reef' for DisneyNature documentary completest sake, as well as being a great fan of nature documentaries, Disney in general and the intimate approach to the storytelling. As well as liking Natalie Portman as an actress.
As far as the DisneyNature documentaries go, to me 'Dolphin Reef' to me is easily one of the best. It is one of the more illuminating ones in terms of information, if not quite as much as David Attenborough (incomparable when it comes to nature documentaries) at his best, and when it comes to the narration 'Dolphin Reef' is one of the few where this aspect is not a problem. Both in how it's written and delivered, when it is often uneven or a weak point even in the good ones.
'Dolphin Reef' isn't quite perfect. While it is good showing that life under the sea has its challenges for the animals, the two suspenseful scenes don't quite gel with the gentle tone that the story generally has. And the challenges/dangers faced as shown here actually could have been more suspenseful and a little on the tame side, other documentaries do better at the feeling of "how on earth was this filmed?".
However, as usual for DisneyNature 'Dolphin Reef' looks wonderful. Underwater has always looked beautiful in nature documentaries, and 'Dolphin Reef' contains some of the most awe-inspiring underwater footage seen in a while. The atmosphere is also nailed, the world is both beautiful and suitably unforgiving and enhanced by the ever spectacular photography. The music is not too loud or constant and it's not too jaunty or ominous. There is atmosphere and a soothing one.
The narration is a rare case for the DisneyNature documentaries where there are no issues to be found. In terms of writing, it was honest, entertaining and informative with no overuse of jokiness or mawkish sentimentality. Portman does a lovely job delivering it, it is gentle and sympathetic but never sounds phoned in and instead it was like she was reading a bedtime story. No over-eagerness or cutesiness.
Loved the footage too. Stunningly shot and not only has a vast emotional impact, a big amount of charm and soothing quality on the whole but it always educates and fun and moving to watch. The story is entertaining, sweet without being sugar heavy and tear-inducing, without veering into soap opera. The pacing is better than most DisneyNature documentaries too, it isn't jumpy and it isn't dull. The animals are a visual feast and have great personalities that are worth rooting for. All without coming over as too humanised. It was amazing seeing dolphins on film and it made me wonder why we don't see them in documentaries enough.
Overall, very good and one of the better DisneyNature documentaries. 8/10
