Watch Big Miracle

In 1988, an incredible true story captured the hearts and minds of people around the world. Big Miracle, directed by Ken Kwapis, tells the inspiring tale of a daring rescue mission to save a family of gray whales trapped in the icy waters off the coast of Barrow, Alaska. Drew Barrymore stars as Greenpeace activist Rachel Kramer, who arrives in Barrow to protest the oil drilling that threatens the delicate ecosystem of the area. It's there that she meets Adam Carlson (John Krasinski), a news reporter for a local TV station. At first, the two clash over their differing views, but when they discover the trapped whales, they realize they must work together to save them.

The whales' plight quickly becomes international news, drawing the attention of the global community. As the story spreads, more and more people become invested in the rescue effort, including a team of Soviet icebreakers, a wealthy businessman (Ted Danson), and even the President of the United States.

Throughout the film, we see the impact that the rescue has on the people of Barrow, whose lives are deeply connected to the land and sea. We meet a number of colorful characters, including local whaling captain Malik (John Pingayak), who reluctantly agrees to help the outsiders, and a young Inupiaq boy named Nathan (Ahmaogak Sweeney), who becomes a crucial member of the rescue team.

Despite numerous setbacks and challenges, the group remains determined to free the whales and return them to their ocean home. Along the way, they learn important lessons about the power of community, the importance of cooperation, and the incredible resilience of nature.

One of the film's strengths is its depiction of the complex relationships between the different groups involved in the rescue. There are tensions between the Greenpeace activists and the oil company officials, between the Americans and the Soviets, and even between the humans and the whales themselves. Yet through it all, Big Miracle shows that even the most unlikely allies can work together for a common goal.

The film is also visually stunning, with breathtaking shots of the Arctic landscape and the majestic whales. The special effects used to create the whales are impressive, blending seamlessly with the real-life footage of the rescue.

At its core, Big Miracle is a heartwarming and engaging film that will appeal to audiences of all ages. It manages to balance moments of tense drama with humor and genuine emotion, creating a deeply satisfying viewing experience. With its inspiring story and talented cast, it's no wonder that the real-life events of the 1988 whale rescue continue to capture the imagination of people around the world.

Big Miracle is a 2012 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 61.