 "Should you pray for a baby penguin?" | 2009-07-18 |
| - Reviewed By caponsacchi |
The "family values" politicians who, of late, have had so much difficulty practicing what they preach, would certainly have no more perfect model of the self-sacrificial monogamy they promote than "March of the Penguins." But during the grueling 9 months of each year during which these noble, dignified creatures starve themselves, march endlessly, endure "terrorists" in the form of predators at every turn, they do not appear to have God on their side. Misfortune and, as Morgan Freeman puts it, "unbearable grief," are a constant threat and reality. Is it a moral failing that accounts for such seeming injustices and hardships to their ranks? Is it because they lack a "personal relationship with Jesus" (to borrow a trendy phrase these days)? Or are we seeing a more accurate mirror of the human condition than, save for Darwinians, humans are reluctant to accept?
"March of the Penguins" is definitely manipulative, but the amazing shots that the film has provided (I'd hate to even conjecture the percentage of raw footage to actually used, edited footage in the film) are sufficient to enable the viewer to forgive the "anthropomorphic indulgences and excesses" of the story of these creatures, who are made to seem larger and more "human" than they are. It's a movie that is part science, part "pathetic fallacy" (a term that literary teachers use for the human emotions that poets are prone to ascribe to non-human creatures).
It's a film that leaves (quite intentionally) many questions unanswered, but its intentions are good. It raises awareness and provokes questions about creation, nature, and humans' place in the scheme of things. Moreover, the parallels between penguin and human relationships are undeniable, even if the "feelings" are necessarily projections of the spectators. Any productive steps toward atoning for our own violations of natural laws--such as righting pollution and global warming--are likely to come about only if we can "feel" our inseparable relationship with nature, coming to the realization that besides being spiritual and material beings, we are indeed natural ones. |
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| "Embarrassed to be Human?" | 2009-05-31 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3A64289GZHBQD |
To my knowledge, the first time the general reading public was widely exposed to the Emperor penguin's life cycle was in Robert Ardrey's 1966 book, The Territorial Imperative. Ardrey describes their plight far better than I ever could. Read it. It is three or four pages of pure poetry. It made me embarrassed to be human.
Suffice it to say, the film reaffirmed my embarrassment.
There are many stories in that other world of equal force: Godwits that fly up to nine days, 6000+ miles over water, nonstop. No rest. No water. No food. Day and night. All weather conditions. Or turtles that swim 12,000 miles without food, and little rest, for months seeking their ancestral beach. Tadpole shrimp eggs that estivate for up to 100 years in bisque-baked mud.
If you've ever camped out in the open at -40 degrees, you may have the slightest inkling of what the Emperor males endure. Try -80 extremes for months. Reading the multitude of one star ratings is depressing. The film is not perfect, but it follows a most impressive life-form which many are blind to. On to American Idol.
Nice to think of that other world, out there, that lives and revels, breeds and dies without our permission. May it always be so.
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| "March of the Penguins" | 2009-05-13 |
| - Reviewed By User: AZYZILYSQA6VQ |
| I could listen to Morgan Freeman read the phonebook so it's no surprise that I enjoyed him as a narrator of this movie. An amazing look at the Emperor Penguin and their annual trek. A lovely film for all. |
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| "Almost Too Amazing To Describe" | 2009-03-18 |
| - Reviewed By ccthemovieman |
This documentary showing what a group of penguins goes through on a yearly basis in Antarctica is almost too unbelievable to express in words. To use the cliché, you have to see this to believe it.
When I saw it, I remember almost being stunned afterward at what I had just seen, and then thinking about it for a few days afterward, which is not something I usually do. It was just a haunting, unbelievable story....and 100 percent true, not one of these "based on a true story" fiascoes.
The hardships that these flightless birds endure to keep their species going is almost impossible to believe. I have yet to hear a friend say anything less about this than I just said: all of them were amazed. |
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| "Wonderful family movie" | 2009-03-10 |
| - Reviewed By thecasaubons |
| This is one of the movies that you should have. The documentary is just amazing. The picture, sound and everything is worth every penny is worth it. My kids love it, and so do I. |
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| "What a film!" | 2009-02-05 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1P41HK5DO72LK |
If you haven't seen the movie, please do. It came out in 2005 and won an Oscar for best documentary, I think. The footage from the arctic is simply breathtaking and you will absolutely fall in love with the plight of the Emperor penguins. It also has one of the greatest soundtracks I have ever heard, so good that we bought the CD a couple of years ago.
Morgan Freeman is the perfect pick to narrate this touching documentary. At times you will laugh and others you will cry as you learn about the life of these amazing little animals. It's very different from your run of the mill animal documentaries which air on TV. It's filmed by French film makers who spent time living near the penguins and the scenes they capture are simply amazing. The only human dialog in the movie is Freeman as he narrates, over the din of the penguins of course which is hilarious - they make the most unique sounds.
You just need to see this movie if you haven't. Kids younger than 3 or 4 might not get into it because it is a documentary with a lot of spoken dialog, however they may be captivated by the penguins and scenery. If you are an animal lover, love incredible music, and appreciate beautiful film footage...this is the movie.
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