Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

This is truly one of the best films of the year. The opening scene begins with the majestic panorama of Antarctica accompanied by classical music. After the prelude we are introduced to the penguins and told that they must make a seventy mile trek across the windswept desolation of Antarctica to reach their ancestral breeding ground. The adventure begins!

The cinematography is impressive, giving me the feeling that I was actually there instead of being a distant observer. Also, the narration by Morgan Freeman was superbly done and very informative without being dry. The way he told the story made me care deeply about the penguins instead of being like most nature films and making me feel as though I were merely listing to a long list of scientific facts. The best aspect of the film, however, was the penguins themselves. I could actually relate to them and their dilemmas and driving need to save their fuzzy chicks. They were well characterized and extremely adorable. I was amazed that they were able to go for months without eating, survive eighty degree below temperatures and hundred mile per hour wind, walk seventy miles from their ocean home to the middle of the continent several times, all in order to raise their chicks. The odds seemed impossible, yet they are able to overcome them and in the end we witness their grown chicks returning to the ocean.

Also, I found the penguins to be more beautiful than I could have imagined. Their sleek feathers and pudgy stomachs had the effect of making them seem incredibly majestic while at the same time giving a comical air especially when they flopped on their stomachs and pushed themselves forward with their back feet.

The only detrimental element of this program was that several of the chicks and adults were killed along the journey. Of course, I realize that this does happen in nature quite often. However, in a cheerful film I would prefer to be unaware of it. I was especially saddened by a scene of a cute baby penguin being killed by an albatross. There is simply no need for me to see that. However, I realize that many people would say that not only is this film entertainment about fluffy birds but it is meant to accurately educate the viewer about penguin life as well.

In conclusion, I would definitely recommend this film to people of all ages. It is beautiful, awe inspiring, entertaining, informative, and adorable. You will love the penguins by the conclusion and want to be told more about them.

Countess_Eva

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8