PENGUINS – Review

With Spring finally pushing aside the remnants of Winter (well, for most of the country…sorry, upper Midwestern states), what better time to head to the multiplex to check out a feature documentary about this season…set in Antartica. Well, at least its denizens seem to be enjoying those “balmy” 32 degree days. One particular group of them is the focus of Disney subsidary label Disneynature’s thirteen feature film in just over ten years (looks like they share a birthday with Marvel Studios). Like 2012’s CHIMPAMZEE the wildlife filmmakers don’t neglect their animale neighbors while zeroing in on a singular subject representing his species. And like those jungle cut-ups, these creatures are pretty amusing, too. There are lots of laughs, mixed with romance and danger, in observing PENGUINS.

The singular subject in question is affable everyman (whoops, bird) Steve, a young Adelie penguin who’s a two foot tall ball of energy. In the film’s opening moments, Steve hilariously wadlles and slides on his tummy in an effort to keep up with hundreds of his brethrin as they make the big Spring mating season march. At one point he loses track of the pack and ends up in the middle of a not-so-friendly group of towering (to him) Emporer penguins. Happily, Steve spots his gang and makes it back to them in time to set up a nest the rock-filled snowless hillside. Of course he has to be weary of others who would grab his pebles and try to take over said spot. When the ladies at last join them, Steve puts out his best mating call and attracts the lovely Adelene. Despite attacks from the predatory Skua gulls and the killer whales that swim through their feeding water, the couple produce two eggs. After taking turns sheltering them from a brutal late season ice storm, the eggs hatch. Then the couple take turns again, feeding the always-hungry ofspring.. The kids must get “fattened up” for the big swim back to their Winter homes. But this may be the greatest challenge as they hop and scurry across the broken ice to reach open water and evade lots of deadly ravenous Leopard seals.

Directors Alistair Fothergill and Jeff Wilson, overseeing a platoon of truly intrepid (enduring that chill) photographers, have created an engaging, briskly paced (76 minutes, much like the classic Disney animated features) “info-tainment‘ that should truly appeal to all ages. Several sequences have an almost unearthly beauty as if taken from any recent CGI-enhanced science fiction blockbuster. There’s that brutal storm that has our heroic couple facing that pellet like ice-filled hurricane force wind to protect their precious eggs. After the gale tapers off, there’s a desolate silence until they shake away the ice and snow crust. In a more peaceful scene, Steve floats and zips around in an ice opening into the sea, as graceful as any superhero soaring past the stars, with the sunlight creating incredible patterns in the depths. Even as a backdrop, the overhanging tundra projects an irredescent glowing green onto the waves beneath. And all these breath-taking images are enhanced by the lush music score by Harry Gregson-Williams. As for comedy, aside from Steven opening trek, there’s the sight of his twins acting like his shadow, always underfoot and wing, clamoring for nourishment. An encounter with the lethargic Elephant seals also delivers tons a’ fun. But it’s not all giggles, as the film’s powerfull last act re-enforces. The threat of the Leopard seals may give the youngest viewers nightmare, as it showcases the laws of nature (the ole’ food chain). Those seals silently popping their heads up out of the water and ice recall all manner of prehistoric (I was thinking Brontosaurus) from any number of fantasy thrillers. It’s truly gasp-inducing stuff.

As with the other Disneynature films, it is narrated not by a researcher or scholar, but by an entertainment star. Ed Helms of the HANGOVER trilogy is at the mike this time, and he juggles the facts and the whimsey fairly well, rattling off bits of trivia, before assuming the voice of Steve. At times it comes close to humanizing them (something Disney was doing with his “True Life Adventures” shorts series in the 50s and 60s), but it’s not “hammered” to the point of being precious or cloying. Ditto for the occassional use of a classic “pop” song (yes, the mating requires a love ballad I suppose). Unlike many narrative film, PENGUINS really has it all: action, comedy, romance, and suspense. Ah, but it’s a darn shame Burgess Meredith’s not around to tell this true tale.Waugh! Waugh!!

4 Out of 5