The Cove
User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 65 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 65
  3. Negative: 4 out of 65

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  1. JohnM-Tokyo
    Oct 11, 2009
    10
    Essential viewing for anyone who cares about marine life- The film makers did an incredible job in getting this out. It simply does not need to happen as there is NO market for dolphin meat in this country- most Japanese do not believe that their fisherman are still killing dolphins. The movie has had very limited viewing here due to its message which is a great shame because it is Japan that needs to see this film more than the west. Spread the word and I do hope the staff involved get the Oscar next year which they heartily deserve.… Expand
  2. keithw
    Aug 9, 2009
    10
    Tell EVERY one of your friends to sell this film. No person walked out without being touched, moved and angry. What a film!
  3. JeffChrisler
    Sep 4, 2009
    9
    This film wasn't your normal documentary. It was engaging, had a solid sountrack, and of course it supported a solid cause. If you aren't upset and angry by the end of this film, you aren't human. Don't go see, "Under the Sea," see this again or support the cause.

    Thankfully on the first day of fishing in 2009 in Taigi there were no fishermen out, no killing of     dolphins, and there were tons of media. All of this is because of this film.… Expand
  4. BillC
    Aug 14, 2009
    10
    Ignore any bias you may have against those dry, boring documentary films you feel you must watch because they're good for you. This is an out and out thriller and the filmmakers risked jail time in order to share it with their audience. Their dedication to expose the secret of Taiji so that the world will take action and end it earns our respect and admiration.
  5. SusanS
    Sep 29, 2009
    10
    If you haven't seen this movie yet because you are afraid it will be too hard to watch - go see it. There are a couple of tough scenes but they are a very small part of the movie. It is exciting, inspiring and motivating. It really shows you what a few dedicated people can do - that we really can change things. It plays like a suspense thriller and had me on the edge of my seat. Go and take your friends!… Expand
  6. LaurelA
    Oct 12, 2009
    10
    I hate it when people say, "Well, it's part of their culture." That seems to be an excuse to continue to do almost anything - slavery was part of our culture, too, but that doesn't make it right! And yes, many dolphins are killed accidentally each year and poisoned by pollution. This needs to be addressed as well! This film exposes some of the hyposcrisy of dolphining and porpoising, but there is still much to explore (including our own hypocrisy). My only criticisms are that it is too short and the film does not delve deep enough into the unique animals whales are, and how similar to people (language, culture, family, etc.). Just because dolphins do not live like we do does not mean they can be tossed aside as lesser beings, which we humans are apt to do.… Expand
  7. iHammer
    Jan 14, 2011
    10
    This movie, purely based off directing aspects, can be called a beautiful movie, the pacing, the beautiful music, the video mixing and editing, and other general directing aspects. Purely based off just how good a movie it is, I can tell you that its amazing, its beautiful, you wont see anything like it, it will make you smile, it will make you cry, it will send chills down your spine, and it will make you clench your fist in anger. This movie is truly remarkable, its extremely uplifting, and by the end of it, you have to stop yourself from jumping on the internet and buying a plane ticket to Taiji, Japan with a baseball bat in your luggage. I would recommend any one to watch it, from the people who watch it for environmental reasons, and for people that just want to see a good movie.… Expand
  8. iHammmer
    Jun 3, 2011
    9
    If rating this movie based completely off directing aspects: it can be called beautiful. The pacing, the beautiful score, the video mixing and editing, and other general directing aspects have all been done very well. The movie manages to make you laugh, cry, smile, all in the space of few minutes. It has a bit of everything, Louie Psihoyos has done an amazing job, especially when considering this is his first piece of directing work. His next work, The Singing Planet, will be releasing in 2012, which I am much looking forward to. This is easily one of the best documentaries out there, and if some one argues that documentaries are a stale genre, show them this. It is extremely uplifting and sends a great message: if we can't fix something this small, we have no hope of fixing anything else. By the end of it, you have to stop yourself from jumping on the internet and buying a plane ticket to Taiji, Japan with a baseball bat in your luggage. I would recommend any one to watch it, from the people who watch it for environmental reasons, and for people that just want to see a great movie… Collapse
  9. Trev29
    Sep 2, 2012
    9
    This is one documentary that is worth seeing and anything but dull and boring. This is a story of courage and a passion to undue such horrible acts. Eye opening and touching. Worthy of its Oscar.
  10. joomjim4
    Jun 18, 2012
    9
    It's massively incredible how this film provokes such anger, tension as well as passion in it. Words can barely describe how painful and powerful this documentary is, and the lengths to which human monstrosity can extend to. I gauruntee for those who see a little glimpse of my way, you will surely stand up for it and fight against this thing--at least in disgust. The most important film to watch.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
84 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Justin Lowe
    100
    Shot rivetingly by cinematographer Brooke Aitken, who combines digital, night-vision and thermal-imaging formats into a formidable package, the footage is edited tautly by Geoffrey Richman and enhanced measurably by J. Ralph's suspenseful score.
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  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Justin Chang
    100
    Eco-activist documentaries don't get much more compelling than The Cove, an impassioned piece of advocacy filmmaking that follows "Flipper" trainer-turned-marine crusader Richard O'Barry in his efforts to end dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan.
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  3. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: David Edelstein
    100
    The end of The Cove is as rousing as anything from Hollywood. Manipulative? Sure--but isn't that fitting? Capitalism has driven an entire village to massacre dolphins and keep its work hidden.
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