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Arctic Tale
Directed by: Adam Ravetch & Sarah Robertson
Starring: Queen Latifah (narrator)
Genre:
Documentary
Run Time: 96
min.
Release Date:
August 2007
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
Global Warming is a real
threat. The majority of scientists across the globe agree on this (there
is a small dissenting group but nothing compared to those that believe
in the theory). And wildlife filmmakers Adam Ravetch and Sarah Robertson
believed there were ways to prove it. So they embarked on a fifteen year
odyssey to film the lives of two creatures: Nanu the polar bear and
Seela the Walrus.
The arctic is where these two live, and the arctic is the battleground
most climatologists point to whenever they are asked for proof of global
warming theory. It is important to let our children know that this area
is in danger—as are its animals—thanks to the changes in global climate.
And children are who this G-rated film is directed at.
There’s the cuddly polar bear scene when Nanu is born with her
“brother”, and the protective nature of walruses as they fret over their
young. And there’s the bathroom humor of the walruses as they eat clams
and then expel flatulence in roaring surround sound.
But there’s also some things that might frighten the very young. Nanu
and her ilk are meat eaters; in fact, they love walrus and seal meat.
Some bloody carcasses are seen on several occasions, so parents who
haven’t discussed life-cycles with their young ones should beware. The
fact that the movie-makers didn’t give Nanu’s “brother” and Seela’s
“auntie” a name should also give you pause (crewman 19!).
To help aid in the marketing of this film, you’ll often hear “From the
people that brought you
MARCH OF THE PENGUINS...” but don’t
be fooled. Neither director nor the writers involved here were
affiliated with March of the Penguins. Both films were aided with
production dollars by National Geographic Films but that’s about it.
Although March of the Penguins held more astonishing film footage, this
film can boast some exquisite shots of its own. Following polar bears
around as they swim in the open ocean and watching walruses suckle their
newborns was something I found phenomenally well filmed. The vanishing
ice flows are also pointedly shown as months into what should have been
the arctic winter turns into open seas instead of frozen waters.
Queen Latifah (HAIRSPRAY) does a great job narrating. Never
over-the-top, her tone was perfect for the settings. Always.
But I think Morgan Freeman did a bit better job during March of the
Penguins. All-in-all, it’s a superior documentary that stands head and
shoulders above this one. But that shouldn’t shame Arctic Tale at all.
It’s a decent documentary.
Just decent.
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Image from Arctic Tale
DVD cost: $25.98
Purchase:
Tower.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
Co-director Adam Ravetch
has helped film more than 90 programs for the small screen, including a
recent sequence for the renowned BBC's Planet Earth Series.
Movie Quote: "Far
beyond the world we humans know, there's an ancient and frozen kingdom."
Other Actors/Actresses
from Arctic Tale
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