March of the Penguins
Directed by Luc Jacquet
Warner Independent
2005
Rating:


Many have noted the problem created by the Disney animation oeuvre — animals have been anthropomorphized to the point where humans consider such creatures as deer, rabbits, lions and mice as furrier versions of people. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. However, "March of the Penguins," a luminously photographed documentary from French director Luc Jacquet, attributes human logic and emotions to its animal subject. Like 2003's "Winged Migration," which notably worked without a running commentary or explicitly giving the birds human attributes, "March" documents the incredible journey of Antarctica's emperor penguins as they traverse glaciers to mate. The dance of the penguins as they care for their egg is a fascinating one. The male actually spends two months keeping the egg warm while the female hunts and gathers food. When the female returns, if her chick has died, she may attempt to steal a replacement. The penguins' harshly beautiful struggle for survival is told through Morgan Freeman's narration as if it's a triumph of the human spirit. That's an encouraging sentiment, but it's noble enough that these wondrous birds are able to endure so much in the name of their own species.

Posted Sunday, July 10, 2005

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