Quick Review: Lassie at sea. . . that was the premise of the old TV series and remains the concept of the film. You've got a hip teen, Elijah Wood, who gets farmed off to a remote island with his leathery uncle, Paul Hogan. They don't get along until they bond over a dolphin whom they befriend when its companion is killed by a bad guy. That bad guy turns out to be realllly bad, and Flipper--like a wet Lassie--saves the day. The scenery is beautiful; Hogan and Wood have charm to spare; all that's missing is a story. Oh, yes, note Paul Hogan's shirt when he climbs up on the pier from the water when we first see him: he's soaked, except for a bone dry shirt. It's all just too cute for anyone over ten years of age, but I was glad to see the phone number given in the closing credits for those who would like to help save dolphins (1-800-FLIPPER).
Excerpts from an interview with Paul Hogan.