COLD COMFORT. (March of the Penguins - Luc Jacquet (DVD))

Member Name: thingywhatsit

Product:	March of the Penguins - Luc Jacquet (DVD)
Date:	23/10/06 (200 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A wonderful film that all kids should share with their families.

Disadvantages: Those that dismiss the film as documentary and not entertainment miss out.

Take a casting of characters like Brad Pitt, Sean Connery and all the other stars that feature on your top list of actors, dress them in penguin suits, and ask them to do a better job than the stars of this film did, and you are in for a shock. You see, this film isn't about big names. What it is about is nature, and serious consequence, and you don't get much more serious than having to live in the Polar region, as the stars of this film do. It's about survival, about the cycle of life and what is there beyond that ? It's important as a film, and has been produced in such a way as to provide both educational and entertainment value in one package.

Outstandingly beautiful, this film shows National Geographics renowned photographic reputation at its best, and Director Luc Jacquet, who has a good understanding of natural phenomena and from his scientific background, put together a logical sequence of events in the lives of Penguins, that takes the viewer into another world, a world frozen over and fabulous to see on film rather than in reality. The penguins are indeed the stars of this film, which must have taken an absolute age to fit together, in an effort to provide the public with something worth having, and certainly worth sharing with their children. It's stunning.

Morgan Freeman narrates the English version, and I have watched both the French and English versions, and believe that his voice was perfect for the narration, although the French narrator, Charles Berling makes a pretty good job of it too. Telling you what the film is about would to some extent ruin it and all I can do is share my experience of the film and the thoughts that it left me with, and visions that I really cannot escape, even months after watching the movie. The revelation of how creatures survive against a backdrop of blizzards is exposed in such a way as to be more than just another documentary, as the family picture of penguins makes it a more personal viewing than any documentary could have done, and makes it worthy of the Awards of Best Documentary, and nine other awards ranging from cinematography to character and morality awards that the film gained.

The musical score is a little strange at first, but lyricist Emilie Simon grows on you with viewing the film several times, although I must confess to have been a little startled by the music chosen to accompany this great film, sounding something like a strangled Catatonia, though I believe that whatever music had been chosen, it would be extremely hard to get that choice better than that used, simply because the subject matter requires a shock of sound to add to the suspense of the whole film. I was mesmerized by the production, and thrilled and excited when I received my first DVD in English, although I have to say I prefer the French version. The film has been made in many languages, and is a worldwide success. I cannot extol its virtues enough, as it really was well thought out and well put together. From the point of view of music, I actually prefer the French version even though as I say, the music came as a surprise. Much of the film surprised and delighted me, and it is almost as if the music had to be different in order to fit the theme of the movie.

Within the film, what struck me was the emotions the film made me feel. There are moments of triumph, moments of extreme sadness, though it told me many things about the lives and endurance of penguins as a species, and to give away what I learned from the movie would spoil it for those considering purchasing the film.

With Christmas ahead, if you haven't already seen this movie, then it would be top of my list, because as well as being educative, it also tells a wonderful story. Interestingly enough, as a treat for the kids, National Geographic have also devised a game on their website where children can participate in the saving of a penguin egg, following the theme of the film and also being educational and interesting. They also have many child activities on their site which act as a reinforcement of the morality that the film offered viewers, and I believe make children more aware of nature, which can never be a bad thing.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/marchofthepengu ins/index.html

I loved this film and will watch it time and time again. Rated at U, it is suited to all ages, and although the children may enjoy it, believe me, adults will too, and particularly the scenery, the storyline, the wonders of changing of temperature in the Arctic Region, and who cares that Brad Pitt and Sean Connery weren't there. The stars of this film are incomparable in their performance, totally true to life, and a splendour to behold.

I loved every minute of the 77 minutes on offer from Warner Home Video, and note that it can be obtained second hand if you do not wish to pay the full 6 GBP for a new version, although to me, the film is timeless and is extremely good value for money even at full price from Amazon.

Film only review.

Rachel

Summary: A superb film, with a perfect cast of stars.