DVD REVIEW: The Cove

Thanks to Netflix, I was able to see the Academy Award-winning documentary The Cove, about the killing of dolphins in Taijii, Japan.

Even though you know what the film is about going into it, I can not over-estimate the impact some of the images of the slaughter of dolphins has upon the viewer. That being said, the film is also exceedingly well-directed and well-paced. The filmmakers make use of all sorts of interesting technology (night-vision cameras, hidden cameras) which gives the film the feeling of a caper film.

Another aspect of the film is the depiction of the Japanese fisherman and government bureaucrats who are stubbornly defending the insupportable slaughter of dolphins. The film makes the devastating point that although the Japanese claim they need to "harvest" dolphin meat for domestic consumption, there are increasingly dangerous levels of toxic chemicals which make the product increasingly unsuitable for humans.

In the end, The Cove is a very engaging film which also informs the viewer of an important environmental story.

Running Time: 2 hour, 33 minutes. MPAA Rating: Rated R for strong graphic violence, language and brief sexuality.

OVERALL GRADE: A.

ACTING: N/A
IMAGERY: A-.
PLOT: A.
IMPACT: A+.