Blue Miracle movie review 2021

MOVIE TITLE: MIRACLE BLUE

Available only on Netflix on May 27, 2021

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour 35 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

Wow, who knew a fishing movie could be so great? Netflix presents a very heartwarming, true story that definitely gave me the feels! Written and directed by Julio Quintana with some writing help by Chris Dowling, this feel-good flick is family-friendly and extremely charming.

To save their cash-strapped orphanage, a guardian and some of the kids partner with a washed-up boat captain for a chance to win a lucrative fishing competition in Cabo San Lucas called “Bisbee’s Black & Blue Tournament.” This is definitely not the tourist town you thought you knew.

THINGS I LIKED:

The movie takes place on the Baja California peninsula in 2014 when Hurricane Odile hit the coast.
Fun fact: The movie was previously named “On the Line”, a good name for a fishing movie. In fact, I think I like it better than “Miracle Blue” because it has a double meaning.
Music from Grammy Award-winning Reach Records artist Lecrae is on the soundtrack, along with GAWVI, WHATUPRG, & 1K Phew.
You don’t get a lot of backstory on all of the characters, but somehow, you instantly connect with all of them. They feel like real people and not actors just saying lines.
There is some gentle humor and real-life conversations that feel authentic.
There are some conversations about God, but the movie definitely doesn’t feel preachy.
At the end of the movie, you get to see photos of the real people this story happened to, as well as the orphanage called “Casa Hogar.”
Great transitions, especially the opening scene.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

It’s pretty formulaic for its generic and very predictable but I still loved it.
There aren’t any subtitles to help you know some of the words that are being spoken in Spanish, so I’ve provided a few words you hear often in the movie (below).

SPANISH WORDS YOU HEAR OFTEN IN THE MOVIE:

guey = idiot or dude, bro
a huevo = huevos are eggs, but in slang, it means: for sure, of course
bien padre = cool
fresa = strawberry, but in slang, it means: kids who came from an upper-class family

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Lots of Spanish is spoken.
Some profanity in Spanish. Taking God’s name in vain
Images of living on the dangerous streets
Orphan life
Talk of death
Some illustration of drowning

THEMES:

Hope
Unity, Teamwork
Family
Courage
Fierce loyalty
Caring for the innocent & protecting the young

FUNNY LINES:

* “Maybe God just wanted to get all the unluckiest kids in one building so he can crush us all out.” – Hollywood (Nathan Arenas)

INTERESTING LINES:

“There is a calling inside every man. In his heart. A call to greatness. Now, most men, they don’t follow that call. They pretend it isn’t there. They drown it out with game shows, or quarterly reports, or kids’ Little League baseball games…” – Wade (Dennis Quaid)