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John Krasinski, Drew Barrymore, Kristen Bell, Dermot Mulroney, Tim Blake Nelson ... see more see more... , Vinessa Shaw , John Pingayak , John Chase , Ahmaogak Sweeney , Ted Danson , Bruce Altman , James LeGros , Stephen Root , Mark Ivanir , Michael Gaston , John Michael Higgins , Shea Whigham , Stefan Kapicic , Rob Riggle

Inspired by the true story that captured the hearts of people across the world, the rescue adventure Big Miracle tells the amazing tale of a small town news reporter (John Krasinski) and an animal-lov... read more read more...ing volunteer (Drew Barrymore) who are joined by rival world superpowers to save a family of majestic gray whales trapped by rapidly forming ice in the Arctic Circle. -- (C) Universal

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63% liked it

27,488 ratings

Critics

74% liked it

95 critics

PG, 1 hr. 46 min.

Directed by: Ken Kwapis

Release Date: February 3, 2012

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DVD Release Date: June 19, 2012

Stats: 525 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (525)

  • katykern8261
    February 13, 2012
    katykern8261
    Directed by Ken Kwapis, Universal Pictures, 2012.

    Starring: Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski, John Pingayak, Kristen Bell, Time Blake Nelson, Stephen Root, Dermot Mulroney, John Michael Higgins, Kathy Baker and Ted Danson.

    Genre: Drama, Romance

    Question: Do you have that o... read morene animal that you absolutely adore? Perhaps you collect chachkes, always gravitate towards greeting cards with their pictures on it; or you have some other form of devotion like a certain wildlife conservation project you support. I would say dogs are my favorite animals but whales come in at a close second.

    Quick explanation of why I like whales: When I was three years old I went into a toy store and apparently demanded this particular stuffed animal. According to my mother I had a tantrum and wouldn't stop holding it and saying, "Mine, mine, mine!" It was a stuffed whale. My parents gave in and bought it for me. I named him Herman and to this day I have no idea why I named him that. Neither do my parents. It's not like I had read Moby-Dick yet. Soon after receiving Herman, my father told me "Herman the Whale" stories at bedtime, sometimes to comfort me or to teach me life lessons. I loved them. Listening to those stories and holding Herman are some great memories; and from that point on whales have always had a deep place in my heart.

    So when I saw the previews for Big Miracle I secretly knew I would end up seeing that film. Was I expecting greatness or an unbelievable tale? Not really. I thought the film would go overboard in the sentimentality and sappiness that often surrounds stories like this. However, I ended up really enjoying Big Miracle - more than I thought I would.

    John Krasinski plays, Adam Carlson, a reporter in Barrow, Alaska; and he seems somewhat content in the remote frozen town although he dreams of going to a big network station. While trying to find another topic to report on, he witnesses three gray whales surfacing about a 100 yards away to get air and to keep the ice hole open. The family of whales is stuck there because the ocean was freezing over quicker than normal. They had missed their chance to start their migration south.

    Now for the rest of the tale, it's pretty predictable but I didn't care. I was too content. Politicians, Greenpeace, oil-tycoons, native Eskimo tribe, swarms of new crews and mix in a love story or two all have one thing in common: three stranded gray whales. That's Big Miracle. There was decent acting by all and the story was well told and it had whales in it. As you can see above, there was also a large amount of well-known cast of actor for Big Miracle, which sort of surprised me.

    However, there was one thing that surprised me more about this film - that it was a true story. Throughout the whole movie they showed real broadcasts with the top network anchors: Brokaw, Jennings and Rather. Plus there were others that I recognized like weekend anchors and reporters. I personally don't recall this story but I had just started college that fall (1989) and didn't have a TV, and I was too busy...umm...studying. Yeah, that's it.

    Since it's my rule to stay vague with these reviews I am stopping here, but I hope you get a chance to see this movie. It was a charmer. Big Miracle is a great family film and for anyone who wants a feel-good story. Oh, and I did get pretty teary-eyed at a couple of parts but I am soft-hearted, as you guys should know by now.

    Based on the book Freeing the Whales How the Media Created the World's Greatest Non-Event by Tom Rose

    My favorite part: That I was pleasantly surprised with the film.

    My least favorite part: Can't say. I will give too much away.

    Rating: PG
    Length: 107 minutes

    Rating: 7 out of 10
  • fb508860270
    January 31, 2012
    fb508860270
    you know, I really liked Big Miracle. We got to see a Sneak Preview and the best way I can describe it...it's like a Disney Sports Film About Whales. Think Miracle, Remember the Titans...that kind of emotion, that kind of inspiring, "we can do it" kind of feeling, but about the e... read morentire country and specifically a little Alaskan town trying to save 3 whales from death. It may be cheesy, but I really enjoyed Big Miracle.
  • chaleins
    February 10, 2012
    chaleins
    With an appealing cast, and an appealing 'save the whales' plot; Big Miracle is a rare film coming out of the movie mill these days: It does exactly what its supposed to. The story a a trio of whales trapped under the ice near Barrow Alaska was pretty big news back in the late 80... read more's; and the docu-drama style works well here. The cast is appealing, and everyone has a chance to shine. It plays the whole story really straight, with a minimum of cheese or drama for the sake of drama, and instead gives us a nice view of people coming together to help the whales.

    It has the usual assortment of eco-drama overtones, back in the day when oil exploration was king. However, it was a different time, and they get the tone of the late 80's right in that people had more respect for their government in the waning days of the Cold War. everyone's motives are clearly explained as well, in a straightforward fashion that any youngster could understand, and they film-makers gave the younger audience a child lens to see the story through in the young boy that befriends Jon Krasinski's news reporter. The movie doesn't dwell on relationships or character development much, which ultimately weakens the impact of watching the characters go through the rescue, but it might have also been overdone, which its not. The whole rescue takes place over a very short span of time, so diving into past romances would be a waste of screen time.

    There are some genuinely moving moments. That's because it's played straight, and people can indeed get all worked up over whales trapped in the ice. They also don't sugar coat the ending, since it's not a perfect outcome (I'd rather not reveal more)but it's a good lesson for kids and adults alike on doing the right thing. The movie also is leavened with a good dose of humor, as well as reality, and you'd think it might be dull, but it's surprisingly tense and engaging. Overall, an enjoyable, well-meaning film that's well worth your time.
  • fb1219737785
    March 28, 2012
    fb1219737785
    GOD created us to be the overseers of all that was created before us. Even knowing there may be tragedy in the midst of people joining together to help the stranded, is indeed worth it all. This movie touches the HEART!
  • timoncjm
    February 6, 2012
    timoncjm
    It was a great family movie. It had great acting, breathtaking scenery, great cinematography, lots of funny moments, great drama, excellent music and a good plot. It's one of the best family movies I've ever seen. It's entertaining for both kids and adults.
  • dinodiva717
    February 3, 2012
    dinodiva717
    Maybe could have been better, but it's still an incredible story, and from the looks of it they stayed pretty true to the actual story.
  • chloeking66
    January 21, 2012
    chloeking66
    insipiring!!!!!!!!!!!! graet story with drew barrymore, everyone should be touched by this heartwarming true story of a family of whales.

View All Big Miracle Reviews

Critic Reviews

Roger Moore
March 23, 2012
Roger Moore, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Political cynicism, media opportunism, dogmatic native traditions, corporate greed and environmentalist stubbornness are each, in turn, dashed against this sunny confection. Full Review

Joe Baltake
February 9, 2012
Joe Baltake, Passionate Moviegoer

Ken Kwapis' 'Big MIracle': Defiantly old-fashioned, in a 1950s way, and impressively untrendy Full Review

Stephen Whitty
February 3, 2012
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

There's something refreshing about a kids' movie that manages to get through its entire length without a poop joke. Full Review

Rafer Guzman
February 3, 2012
Rafer Guzman, Newsday

"Big Miracle" might be subtitled, "How Hollywood Turned a Real Story Into Bogus Fiction." Full Review

Liam Lacey
February 3, 2012
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

Big Miracle is not one of those whale tales that leaves the audience blubbering, but it's open to the allure of the imposing creatures, which resemble long boulders that have come to life. Full Review

Lou Lumenick
February 3, 2012
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

"Big Miracle" shouldn't really work, but it does. Full Review

Stephanie Merry
February 3, 2012
Stephanie Merry, Washington Post

Cold War-era bonding over whales? It would sound utterly absurd if it weren't based on fact. And that's part of what makes this movie fun for adults. Full Review

Claudia Puig
February 2, 2012
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Given the abundance of one-dimensional human portrayals, it becomes apparent that a documentary on the subject might have been more powerful. Full Review

Rachel Saltz
February 2, 2012
Rachel Saltz, New York Times

"Big Miracle" gets off to a shaky start, but once revved up, it becomes an involving work-against-the-clock-and-the-odds action movie. Full Review

Peter Howell
February 2, 2012
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

It is a whale of a comic tale, if also one overly crowded with characters and incidents. Full Review

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    • Rachel Kramer: Even though they're big and powerful, they're so much like us. We're vulnerable and we get scared. We need help sometimes too.
    • Malik: It's not my first rodeo either.
    • Malik: Holy crap!
    • Adam Carlson: Hey. We don't say that kind of- Holy crap!
    • Roy: Are you Mexican? Only at work.
    • Rachel Kramer: The Governor has basically turned his back on the whales.
    • Rachel Kramer: There's always something you can do.
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Big Miracle Trivia

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  • Patty Dukes first big memoriable role was the broadway version of what film ?  Answer »
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