March of the Penguins
A beautifully filmed year in the life of the emperor penguin and the challenges the birds face to stay alive.
An entire movie about marine birds on a desolate continent? That does not sound like quality entertainment. The emperor penguins, however, have an amazing story, and it could not have been captured more beautifully and realistically than in this documentary by Luc Jacquet.
These animals’ sole purpose in life is survival – of themselves and of the species. For the better part of the year, beginning every spring, the penguins begin a seventy-mile trek to the same place for no other reason than reproduction. They must endure a bitterly cold winter in Antarctica, without food or shelter, in order for the egg to survive. At many points it is questionable whether the hardships are worth it, or if they can in fact be overcome.
Alas, the emergence of new life ensures that the purpose of procreation has been served. But the struggle is not yet over.
The movie, narrated by Morgan Freeman, is a refreshing change of pace from mainstream movies, as it documents a species that survives purely on the basic needs in life and an innate knowledge of how to subsist. Viewing their condition in sub-zero temperatures and chilling winds, it’s also a nice escape from the summer’s heat.
Written by: Jill McAree
Reviewers Rating: 9.5
Reader's Rating: 9.80
Reader's Votes: 5
Added: 23-Aug-2005
Talk to other readers about this story.
|
