In all of recorded history, this documentary rather shockingly informs us that there has not been one human death caused by a killer whale in the wild. However, we are informed of at least forty such deaths caused by killer whales in captivity. Focusing on one killer whale in particular, Tilikum is a massive beast, hugely intelligent, and clearly not a creature that was supposed to remain in captivity for prolonged amounts of time. After the death of a trainer in somewhat murky circumstances at a run-down Canadian water-park, Tilikum was bought up by SeaWorld and was intended to be used solely as a mating whale. But it wasn't long before he was re-introduced to the big show in front of massive audiences day in and day out, and it was only a matter of time before Tilikum would strike again.
Between the talking head interviews, court transcripts and found footage, Blackfish plays out almost as if Tilikum were an actual serial killer, while also detailing that as an animal, it is prone to animalistic instincts. Especially, as the movie goes into in some detail; killer whales are hugely emotional creatures, and that can play out in big ways, both positive and negative. When obeying their masters orders and in a playful mood, everyone in the audience is going to want their own Free Willy. Then we see the levels of depression they are capable of when they are separated from their young, and everyone in the audience is going to be heartbroken. But then we see what happens when these massive creatures become frustrated or agitated, and everyone in the audience will feel their stomach's universally plummet in fear.
To be fair, there isn't a whole lot here you won't have figured out for yourself before, in that long term captivity for animals is a bad thing, and sometimes bad things happen in these circumstances. Plus the very one-sided approach (SeaWorld declined to be interviewed for this documentary) doesn't help the otherwise reasonable argument it's trying to make. Despite that, this is still a fascinating and thoroughly involving documentary that deserves to be seen by as many people as possible to help get its point out.
