March of the Penguins (La Marche de l'empereur)

Reviewed by Aricson Tarasova
October 23, 2005

Director: Luc Jacquet Studio: Warner Independent Pictures & National Geographic Feature Films MPAA Rating: G Review Rating: 9.5 out of 10 Website: http://wip.warnerbros.com/marchofthepenguins/ DVD Release Date: 11/29/2005

March of the Penguins is one of the most touching cinematic dramas I have seen and the astonishing element of it is that it's a real story. None of it is made up or conditioned. It is a documentary, but the presentation is that of a story about love that also gives love to its audience by its auteur filmmaker Luc Jacquet. This film has more raw emotion, has a more captivating story, more intelligent wit and the best acting (thanks to Morgan Freeman's narration) than all of the Oscars best movie picks I can recall in recent years. The artistry in the film is mind-boggling taking in account for one: beautifully stunning visuals with no special effects and two; the conditions the production crew had to work in: An entire spring, winter and fall in Antarctica where the winds can blow up to a hundred miles an hour in minus 80 degree temperature.

What makes March of the Penguins more than a dry documentary is the artistic level of powerful editing, creative cinematography beautifully shot, and a narration that conveys an authentic emotional story. The opening shots are overpowered with emotion from the haunting beauty the cinematography and editing paints of the Antarctic continent. Morgan Freeman magically narrates the yearly mating ritual of the emperor penguin. The penguins march from the coastal waters of Antarctica to nearly seventy miles into the continents interior to the breeding grounds from where they were all born. This is one foreign film in which the American re-dub is probably better than the original.

Freeman narrates this perilous journey as a master storyteller projecting his worldly experience and emotions into an honestly executed acting performance that tops his critically acclaimed performances in Shawshank Redemption and Million Dollar Baby . Freeman projects the story of love on to the penguins as they march to the breeding grounds, find a mate, court, mate, reproduce, raise their young while the mother and father equally hand off responsibilities to search for food and bring it back.

The films only weakness is in its soundtrack. At times the music overpowers the magic of the visuals, injecting some scenes with a campy sentiment. This is most prevalent in the underwater scenes with the seals. Another problem is the films main theme, which reminds me of the main Laputa theme from Hayao Miyazaki's Castle of the Sky . Whenever the theme is played, I expect Laputa to fly overhead and land on the penguins. It's a charming theme regardless.

For the magical execution of filmmaking by Luc Jaquet and his team as well as the two ‘making of' documentaries included in the DVD, I give March of the Penguins DVD a High Evolution Factor. Warner Bros. executives seem to be on a role this year with some great films and good marketing strategies for their theatrical and DVD releases.

I foresee his film will win the Academy Award for Best Documentary hands down in 2006 and I wouldn't be surprised if it gets a nomination for Best Picture. I highly recommend this film to be seen with a significant other and/or with your children. If you don't have a significant other or children then let the penguins guide you into your own supply of love, found in their story presented by master storytellers, Luc Jaquet and Morgan Freeman.