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10

tmarino14May 21, 2013

I think this documentry was very good and expressed a ton of information on the cruel sitution going on in Japan. I give this a 10, Rick O' Berry is truly a dolphin saver. The things he has done sacrificing his own life for the dolphins isI think this documentry was very good and expressed a ton of information on the cruel sitution going on in Japan. I give this a 10, Rick O' Berry is truly a dolphin saver. The things he has done sacrificing his own life for the dolphins is amazing. He goes out of his own way. It makes me sad to know innocent animals are getting killed, Thanks to Take Part and The Cove, the number of dolphins being killed has decresed greatly over the years. I'm glad a group like Take Part took a step and made an impact and changes of the ways in Japan. The Cove has greatly helped and changed the outcomes of dolphin deaths a year. Good Job 10… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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7

RyanGeeSep 28, 2010

In a truthful manner, I am not an individual who situates his attention on animal rights and or cruelty. I am however, pliable to a well-done documentary that may or may not change my position on a controversial subject. The Cove is a 2009In a truthful manner, I am not an individual who situates his attention on animal rights and or cruelty. I am however, pliable to a well-done documentary that may or may not change my position on a controversial subject. The Cove is a 2009 documentary film directed by Louie Psihoyos, that documents the annual slaughter of dolphins in Wakayama Japan. A fraction of the movie plays like a common documentary film, interviewing prominent figures in the fishing business and presenting the audience facts and related correlations. While the remainder of the film is in the point of view of a crew trying to attain documentation of dolphin cruelty. Overall, the film succeeds in projecting its point, these water-dwelling mammals are under unbelievably considerable cruelty. The film is remarkably crafted and entirely deserves the Oscar that it received a few months back. Although it is effective, I believe that it had a lack of what could have made it even more effectual. The part that really triggered my pathos was the actual footage of the dolphin slaughter and the risks the crew took in capturing the film. The majority of the film focused on the facts, while the actual live filming, was in all actuality saved until the end. If more of the film focused on the latter portion, it would have been ideal. To conclude, The Cove is an effective documentary that is astonishingly done in a good matter, but I have a feeling that it could have been faintly better.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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3

TerenceSSep 7, 2009

Metacritic severely let me down on this one. The movie is pretty much propaganda, and not good journalism. I will give some credit to the person who cut and assembled the film. They did a good job with it, in giving it action and pace.Metacritic severely let me down on this one. The movie is pretty much propaganda, and not good journalism. I will give some credit to the person who cut and assembled the film. They did a good job with it, in giving it action and pace. However, the point of the film is to attempt to embarass and villify the Japanese.
It's also very pious. The attempt to point to out and show the Japanese laughing at the Americans who care about dolphins, when those same Americans would laugh at an Indian crying over us slaughtering cows.
There is no objectivism in the documentary here. Also, as Tracy A pointed out earlier, our pollution does far more to affect sea life as well.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful

3

TracyAAug 10, 2009

Gosh, just the film for scare hype to those ignant about fishing methods. Harpooning and polespearing are not that unusual for killing large fish. After all, the Japanese have been eating dolphins for centuries. What they kill can't be Gosh, just the film for scare hype to those ignant about fishing methods. Harpooning and polespearing are not that unusual for killing large fish. After all, the Japanese have been eating dolphins for centuries. What they kill can't be compared to the number (over 100,000 per year) killed or drowned by the fishing nets of our tuna fishermen. Many dolphins get entangled in old nets, floating freely and loosely in the seas. Besides, many near-shore dolphins and porpoises are exposed to pollution and toxins, making them sick.. just look at the growing reports of the large numbers of sick and dying bottlenose dolphins washed up on our East Coast! Fishermen, off northern Australia, have been using dolphin meat to bait sharks! Save your money and spend it on 'UNDER THE SEA.'… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful

6

TDKinDallasAug 22, 2009

[***SPOILER***] Worth watching. Definitely suspenseful and sometimes interesting, but I felt the movie did not explain a lot. I wish they were not killing the dolphins, but it obviously is part of their culture(in that region). I still hated [***SPOILER***] Worth watching. Definitely suspenseful and sometimes interesting, but I felt the movie did not explain a lot. I wish they were not killing the dolphins, but it obviously is part of their culture(in that region). I still hated the line, "You eat cows, we eat dolphins!" They did not even confront the Japanese IWC guy. Why not? I also do not understand why they did not go to this town with large numbers. If you had 500+ protesters descend on the town during the kill, then how would they stop you from walking to the vantage points? They couldn't find any outraged Japanese people to help out? WTH? Personal space wouldn't have had a chance! I have other gripes too, but I still recommend the movie.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

3

dijavantewowJul 13, 2012

Well shot, but not a great film. It seems to make the Japanese look like such terrible people for killing dolphins just because Americans had Flipper and now care about that animal more than others. If you watched this and agree it's terribleWell shot, but not a great film. It seems to make the Japanese look like such terrible people for killing dolphins just because Americans had Flipper and now care about that animal more than others. If you watched this and agree it's terrible because killing animals is always bad, then that is fine, but if you meat, then you have no basis to judge these people for what meat they choose to eat.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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8

FDT44Feb 24, 2011

Any time a film has the power to stir up emotions so potently sticking as "The Cove," critical acclaim is only incidental. The task of illuminating a mere, insignificant cetacean mammal, and bring about internal change within the viewer isAny time a film has the power to stir up emotions so potently sticking as "The Cove," critical acclaim is only incidental. The task of illuminating a mere, insignificant cetacean mammal, and bring about internal change within the viewer is done here with such elegance and beauty that apathy assumes the form of genuine concern and heart-wrenching sympathy, even to the most severe of misanthropes. Before too long, you find yourself in a predicament of righful action, hindered by the antagonistic Taiji monopolizers, who, once developed, are as vexatious as a high-strung, hormonal adolescent. The manipulative effect makes for a preservation team that you can't help but root for.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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1

hwheatleyDec 11, 2011

massively overhyped and patronising propaganda piece that clutches at any anecdote or emotional heartstring-pulling possible in an attempt to illicit outrage without ever properly investigating the facts or trying to understand why themassively overhyped and patronising propaganda piece that clutches at any anecdote or emotional heartstring-pulling possible in an attempt to illicit outrage without ever properly investigating the facts or trying to understand why the dolphin killing continues. Repeatedly tells us how many dolphins are killed in the cove in an attempt to shock, but doesn't put this into any ecological or ethical context. Seems to try very hard to portray the americans as fearless fighters against the evil japanese dolphin-killers.

Does the killing of the dolphins cause any threat to the species? The film tells us with vitriol that WWF and the International Whaling Commission have done nothing about it, suggesting that they are at fault, but perhaps they are concentrating efforts elsewhere because the dolphins are not endangered species? Of course no one from these organisations gets to put across their view.

The film tells us that the dolphin meat contains high levels of mercury, then shows shocking images of people made sick by mercury at some point in the past. But what actually caused that incident? How did mercury levels those people were exposed to compare to those in the dolphin meat? What is the evidence that the levels now can cause harm? But the viewer is not supposed to ask these questions - JUST LOOK AT THE SICK CHILDREN! Briefly glosses over the question of why the dolphin killing is any more wrong than westerners killing cows and pigs without presenting any strong argument - assumes the audience is already in agreement on this. Tries to convince us that it can't possibly be a tradition by asking a few people in Tokyo - okay, well how about the local community, what do they think about it? Is the local economy dependent on the hunt, and if so, could an alternative income be found?

Uses pseudoscience to try to persuade us of the intelligence of dolphins - a sound clip of a 'scientist' saying that dolphins may be more intelligent than humans - by what measure? How do you know that? I don't doubt that dolphins are intelligent, but the film completely fails to demonstrate this. Then there are anthropomorphic anecdotes about dolphins appearing to 'commit suicide' or save a surfer from a shark, and people feeling that they had a 'connection' with a dolphin.

The footage of the dolphin slaughter is shocking indeed, and the sight of the sea turned red is certainly highly emotive, although I expect any footage of an abbatoir in the US could look similarly horrific.. it's clear that the cruelty inflicted on the dolphins is the main wrong being committed here, but little is said about this in the film.

Perhaps the makers thought that any more sophisticated analyses or insight would put audiences off and thereby reduce the impact that film could have. The film will probably have a strong impact on those who like to have something to feel self-righteous about without having to think very hard. But those who are after an objective, reasoned and insightful documentary should look elsewhere.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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10

JohnM-TokyoOct 11, 2009

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 thatEssential 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

0 of 0 users found this helpful

10

keithwAug 9, 2009

Tell EVERY one of your friends to sell this film. No person walked out without being touched, moved and angry. What a film!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

9

JeffChrislerSep 4, 2009

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, "UnderThis 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

0 of 0 users found this helpful

10

BillCAug 14, 2009

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. 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

10

SusanSSep 29, 2009

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 reallyIf 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

0 of 0 users found this helpful

10

LaurelAOct 12, 2009

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 killedI 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

0 of 0 users found this helpful

10

iHammerJan 14, 2011

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 youThis 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