Blue Miracle

New on Netflix.

Written and directed by Julio Quintana. Blue Miracle is based on the true story of a a Mexican orpganage who form a team to enter the Bisbee Cup fishing tournament. The aim for the orphanages owner and father figure Omar (Jimmy Gonzales) is to rescue it, it’s in debt and recently badly damaged by a hurricane. Because of the hurricane a unique opportunity arises to enter the extremely lucrative Bisbee fishing tournament when experienced former champion Captain Wade (Denis Quaid) needs a crew and offers them a chance to join him and win the $250k cash prize and save the orphanage.

This is a classic Disneyesque family underdog story. A film about a group of underdog orphans, a good hearted father figure wanting to save their home and teach them life lessons and a grizzled cynical fisherman, feels a familiar cocktail and likely to play out one way. And it does.

It’s hugely predictable and ticks off familiar underdog story tropes as it goes. We get the downs and ups, the challenges, the lessons, the troubled outsider, the moments where making the right choice is important and of course the cynic with a chance of redemption

But all that doesn’t stop this actually been an enjoyable 95 minutes, with no shortage of charm and a likebale cast that has you cheering them on. Dennis Quaid does his best Harrison Ford impression, Jimmy Gonzales gets the inspirational leader with a past about right and the kids are likeable enough especially Anthony Gonzalez, Nathan Arenas and Isaac Arellanes.

While it’s not going to be troubling next year’s awards season, if you are in the mood for a predictable but enjoyable underdog story with plenty of views of open water, then this will do the job.