There are a myriad of other films, some produced by groups like PETA and ASPCA, in which the intent is solely to inspire sympathy by displaying superfluous images of mistreated animals before the viewer. Blackfish could have taken that route, it certainly would have been easy for the filmmakers; however, they opted for a sensible and logical, fact-based structure to support their message. Gabriela Cowperthwaite, the film's director, has managed to provide viewers like me, viewers who value facts over feelings, with an excellent and well-documented look at the physical and mental treatment of these captured animals. The filmmakers provided sufficient evidence to support their claims that asked the viewer to question the killer whale's aggressive behavior when in captivity and then allowed the viewer to make their own judgments based on the unfolding facts.