Arctic Tale
Posted on Jan 08, 2009 under DVD | No Comment
Set in the vast snow kingdom at the top of the world, Arctic Tale is a real life adventure from the people who brought you March Of The Penguins. Join narrator Queen Latifah as she follows two very different arctic creatures, Nanu, the polar bear cub and Seela, the walrus pup, through exciting and harrowing struggles for survival. Armed only with their natural instincts and mothers’ guidance, these inspiring animals face countless trials and challenges in a beautiful icebound world that is rapidly melting beneath them.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Touching tale
If you love animals or liked March of the Penguins you will probably like this movie. The visuals are excellent. It’s not as good as March of the Penguins, but it was still very good. It was interesting to see the lives of walrus’ and polar bears. I didn’t realize walrus’ could be so selfless and devoted. A great one for any child or adult.
5 Stars Mom and 5 year old loved the movie
I rented this movie. I never thought my five year old would sit through the whole thing due to the documentary style. Not only did she but asked to watch it again for several days. It was honest and informative with scientific information. Some reviews stated they were upset that scientific information such as global warming is present in the movie. It is present and it is science and the movie was a wonderful experience.
5 Stars Arctic Tale
Anyone who says this movie has a liberal agenda is out of touch with what is going on in the natural world. The film is excellent because it shows how the struggle for survival is becoming more difficult for Arctic animals since the ice is forming later and later each year and to a much lesser degree. The movie ended on a very positive note encouraging kids and adults to change the way they live in order to protect our planet. The movie’s message was, what we do in our homes and lives effects how these animals live in their homes. The movie is beautifully filmed and touched my husband and I so much we plan on donating our surplus check to environmental groups working to protect the Arctic. The film is so moving and inspiring for kids. I am a teacher and I plan on showing it to my class as well.
3 Stars Global Warming Is Real
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.
5 Stars Awesome Movie
Amazing movie. I love plar bears, so I enjoyed the movie a lot, and I learned a lot from it. Waching it once is not enough because it’s such a good movie. I didn’t only learn about polar bears from the movie, but I also learned about seals and life in the Antractica. Entertaining, and educational.
