"Blackfish" generally maintains a sober tone and avoids the abrasiveness that is possible in advocacy films or PETA campaigns. Testimonials from former trainers and fishermen are the most moving. "Blackfish" also includes scientific insights into the orca's brain, emotional capacity, and language skills.
Tilikum's aggression is traced to his history of bullying by other orcas and prolonged solitary confinement, following the trauma of his initial capture at sea. As more than one commentator notes, it's not surprising that these conditions would make any orca "frustrated." Tilikum was responsible for two previous deaths over 20 years of captivity.
Though a kindred spirit to Herzog's "Grizzly Man", Cowperthwaite's "Blackfish" does not tell its story with similar dramatic pacing. Frequent and fleeting references to other whales, trainers, and locations can give the narrative a fragmented feel. Brancheau's death led to an investigation into SeaWorld by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the dramatizations of these legal proceedings are about as exciting as they sound. Still, the moral force of the film's argument can't be denied, despite its somewhat diluted presentation.
Unfortunately no representatives of SeaWorld participated in the film, despite the director's requests. SeaWorld did however proactively hire a PR firm to email reviewers (not this one) and rebuke the film's claims. An excerpt from that unusual email: "In the event you are planning to review this film, we thought you should be apprised of the following. Although 'Blackfish' is by most accounts a powerful, emotionally-moving piece of advocacy, it is also shamefully dishonest, deliberately misleading, and scientifically inaccurate." The points in this email are in turn rebuked by others, and for those willing to wade into these waters, there's always Google.
OSHA has since decided that there must be a barrier between trainers and orcas during performances, and SeaWorld has appealed that decision. Meanwhile, Tilikum remains at SeaWorld but only performs in a limited capacity (splashing water on the audience). "Blackfish" is likewise a splash of cold water on the audience as much as the industry, for as long as there are paying customers, the show must go on.
| Movie title | Blackfish |
|---|---|
| Release year | 2013 |
| MPAA Rating | PG-13 |
| Our rating | |
| Summary | The moral force of this documentary's argument can't be denied, despite its somewhat diluted presentation. |
