So it was with some anticipation that I went to Tallahassee's newest theatrical addition to see Flipper, and what a treat! The Governor's Square cinema is delightfully slick, and Flipper isn't.

Maybe I enjoyed this movie because I was ready for a break from the high-tech sophistication that seems to accompany American cinema. Flipper breaks from this norm, and offers to viewers a respite from reality.

Possibly others will find plenty of fodder for criticism in this harmless little family flick, but is settled back and just let this one wash over me. I was the only on in the audience laughing out loud.

Paul Hogan is a cross between Crocodile Dundee and Humphrey Bogart in The African Queen. Elijah Wood plays a pretty traditional 90s teenager. Wracked by unhappiness and his parent's divorce, he finds happiness in the idyllic environs of Coral Key, and through friendship with with ocean's cutest mammal.

Flipper gives the occasional nod to the 90s, for example through the use of animatronics for some of the dolphin stunts. Plus, the on-screen characters use technology to locate some dumped toxins which were poisoning the ocean.

But for the most part, the story focuses on important values of friendship, trust and honesty. Basically this is a story about a boy and a fish who look out for each other. The wholesome purity of Flipper rubs off on everyone in the film and the audience.

Overall, I judged the quality of this movie by the music. I had already decided that I would not like this movie unless they sang that great song "They call him Flipper". I never really could enjoy Batman without na na na na na.

The film opens with jaws like music which softens to underwater wishy-washy stuff, demonstrating Joel McNally, too, can imitate the great Romantic masters. Then, low about behold, about 10 minutes into the movie, there was the theme song. The song was well incorporates, almost like the was Flipper swam in to the 90s.

I loved this film and I recommend it to people of all ages who just want to be entertained. Don't look for any deep symbols here - or at least none deeper than those on the toxin barrels at the bottom of the ocean and you won't be disappointed.

Oh, and hey, Hollywood people, when I was growing up in the Australia, there was a great show called Skippy the Bush Kangaroo. Could you do something with that?