The Island of the Blue Dolphins is based upon a beloved and quite popular children's novel, and it would be nice to report that the film version is as involving and memorable as its source material. Alas, Dolphins is at best a middling little adventure film, although it should be noted that children are much more likely to embrace it than adults. Even so, the film's slow pacing and paucity of genuine excitement will disappoint many members of its target audience. That a "girl growing up alone on a wild island" film lacks sufficient excitement may be surprising, but it demonstrates just how undistinguished James B. Clark's direction is. Celia Kaye does fairly well in the very demanding lead role, essentially carrying the film by herself. She lacks the dynamism that would give the film an extra spark, and she's not quite accomplished enough to have to shoulder the enormous acting burden asked of her, but overall, she acquits herself nicely. Leo Tover's cinematography is frequently gorgeous, and helps to create drama when the direction lags. Dolphins should have been a much better film, but there will be some children who will respond very favorably to its assets.