While all the Dot films up to this point were well worth watching, ranging from good to very good and good representations of Australian animation, it was with 'Dot and the Whale' that saw the series at its best.
There is not a whole lot wrong with 'Dot and the Whale'. In fact criticisms are very few and of all the Dot films it is the least problematic by far. Some of the character designs do lack finesse in places, which is a general criticism actually of most of the films (no matter how much of a soft spot there is for them). Maybe the sharks could have been a little more threatening, they didn't seem quite sinister enough.
However, the animation is improving with each instalment so far, with mostly more vibrant colours and evidence of smoother character designs (even if not consistently). The use of live action is the best and most natural of all the Dot films, the underwater ones looking strikingly beautiful actually.
'Dot and the Whale' has the best and most consistent soundtrack of all the Dot films to me, with a whimsical and nuanced incidental score and a rare case of all the songs working (the weakest is "Fish 'n' Chips" but that is still pretty good). "Mother Sea" and "The Whale Song" are sublime and "Save the Whale" makes its point but doesn't do so too didactically.
The script is funny, poignant, remarkably educational and heart-warming, while the characters are engaging, with Moby Dick written in remarkably well and Dot very likable. Tonga is also a very poignant character. The story handles its environmental message better than the one from 'Dot and the Koala', and while formulaic it is still executed beautifully and in a way that both children and adults will admire. Parts are fun and uplifting, there are some funny lines and even this 25 year old adult found herself learning a good deal and admired its sincerity and heart-warming emotion.
Voice acting is of a good standard.
In summary, great and the Dot film series at its best. 9/10 Bethany Cox
There is not a whole lot wrong with 'Dot and the Whale'. In fact criticisms are very few and of all the Dot films it is the least problematic by far. Some of the character designs do lack finesse in places, which is a general criticism actually of most of the films (no matter how much of a soft spot there is for them). Maybe the sharks could have been a little more threatening, they didn't seem quite sinister enough.
However, the animation is improving with each instalment so far, with mostly more vibrant colours and evidence of smoother character designs (even if not consistently). The use of live action is the best and most natural of all the Dot films, the underwater ones looking strikingly beautiful actually.
'Dot and the Whale' has the best and most consistent soundtrack of all the Dot films to me, with a whimsical and nuanced incidental score and a rare case of all the songs working (the weakest is "Fish 'n' Chips" but that is still pretty good). "Mother Sea" and "The Whale Song" are sublime and "Save the Whale" makes its point but doesn't do so too didactically.
The script is funny, poignant, remarkably educational and heart-warming, while the characters are engaging, with Moby Dick written in remarkably well and Dot very likable. Tonga is also a very poignant character. The story handles its environmental message better than the one from 'Dot and the Koala', and while formulaic it is still executed beautifully and in a way that both children and adults will admire. Parts are fun and uplifting, there are some funny lines and even this 25 year old adult found herself learning a good deal and admired its sincerity and heart-warming emotion.
Voice acting is of a good standard.
In summary, great and the Dot film series at its best. 9/10 Bethany Cox