Winged Migration
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Movie Reviews of Winged Migration
Movie Review: Spectacular Documentary Highlighting A Wide Range Of The Planet's Birds
Summary: 5 Stars
"Winged Migration" is a literally globe-spanning series of tales, focusing on numerous species of birds including macaws, penguins, terns, ducks, and seemingly every other kind of feathered friend that shares the trait of migration. A superb documentary that also seves as one of the greatest stories of adventure ever filmed; though the birds's migrations are the focal point we see numerous aspects of the lives of these fascinating creatures. Their travels are often over tremendous distances and against incredible dangers - as with the emperor penguins in the magnificent "March Of The Penguins", it's just amazing what these winged beings overcome on an annual basis. The hardships faced aren't the only aspect of "Winged Migration": the beauty, incredible cuteness, personalities and majesty of the movie's subjects are often front and center.
The cinematography capturing all this is phenomenal, often filmed high up in the sky, apparantly using hang-gliders, hot-air balloons and the like. It's rare that a visual record of this scale has ever been attempted in capturing one of the world's greatest real-life wonders. Imagine a film in which, scene after scene, every shot is like the best photos in National Geographic or the best nature 'coffee table' type books, and you've got the idea of what "Winged Migration" captures. Everything that's been said about the impact of this movie, and more, is proven true as soon as one starts watching this.
"Winged Migration" is rated G, but one might want to make sure that younger children watch it with an older person. The challenges faced by the birds are tremendous, and not all of their stories meet with happy endings, sometimes obviously and other times with situations that can only be surmised as being unlikely to end well. Although it's shown as non-graphically as it can be while still faithfully recording the events - and while obviously made with an eye towards heightening awareness of the unnecessary dangers faced by the birds due to human factors [i.e. the now polluted and despoiled areas travelled through by some of the migrators] - some of the footage can be difficult to take, and can make you wish someone had lent a helping hand. Still an invaluable testament and tribute to the world's birds.
Movie Review: simply enthralling
Summary: 5 Stars
*Winged Migration* was a beautiful scenic film of birds migrating from the North to the South and back. Admittedly, it wasn't as majestic as *March of the Penguins* but it was still breathtaking to see all that was captured.
This film featured ducks, geese, cranes, storks, gulls, gannets, penguins and several other species of migratory birds. It is just amazing to see the miles they fly over long periods of time. It's amazing to see that they don't tire mid-flight and just skydive to the ground. They persevere.
The film opens with the migratory birds migrating to the Artic where it is warm. Upon arrival, they break away from the group and begin to mate. It's beautiful to see different mating rituals, including some of the most fascinating and graceful dances. Of course, we see the chicks. These little fluffballs are just adorable!
However, soon it's "sink or swim" for the youngs as the birds need to migrate back to north. Summers in the Artic is short-lived.
Not everything is pretty in this film. You'll see a small bird with a broken wing, devoured by a group of crabs. You'll see ducks and geese being shot down mid-flight by hunters. You'll see a duck stuck in a mud of oil. You'll see a duck entwined with a piece of netting around one of her feet. You'll see larger birds preying on the other birds. But that is part of the cycle of life.
The sceneries are just beautiful. The ocean. The desert. The mountains. The Artic. It just makes you wonder just how these filmmakers were able to capture all of these, including the birds in flight. Just simply enthralling!
It was no surprise to see that this movie, made from 4 years of filming, was an Academy Award nominee. I certainly look forward to more films by Jacques Perrin.
Movie Review: Sometimes the simplest things can't be beat
Summary: 5 Stars
Jacques Perrin's filmmaking team spent four years creating a masterpiece out of one of the most basic elements of our natural world - the seasonal migration of birds. The result is nothing short of a riveting film.
Cynics might ask how anyone can be spellbound by watching the simple act of birds flying from one place to another. The answer is that sometimes the simplest, most basic art is the most enjoyable. Just as a great artist or sculptor can make a masterpiece out of the basic human form, a film can become great just by focusing on what we see everyday and making us appreciate it in an entirely new way.
Suffice it to say that any viewer of this movie will never look at birds the same way again.
Tracking various species of migratory birds across each continent, "Winged Migration" uses revolutionary camera work and understated narration/exposition to achieve wondrous effects. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to fly in formation with migrating geese, go fishing like a pelican, or soar with bald eagles, "WM" will give you the answer. Using a self-invented flying contraption, the cameramen were able to get right into birds flying in formation in dizzying shots. This is tremendous work.
With "March of the Penguins" and "Planet Earth," we are in a golden age of nature-documentaries. "Winged Migration" belongs in the top-tier of this fascinating genre.
Full disclosure - a couple of scenes will be tough for kids (e.g., crabs hunting down a bird with a broken wing, a baby penguin getting munched by other birds, etc.). These scenes are handled tastefully, but might require some comforting of the youngsters.
Movie Review: No Match to This!
Summary: 5 Stars
I will never understand how these French cinematographers were at all the right places at all the right moments to capture all the right movements of winged life.
This epic was three years in the making and it is a supreme monumental work--totally capturing. I never had a clue that so many flighted wonders existed.
It rapturously speaks of God who is creative beyond comprehension. As the unsurpassed make-up artist, He applied the ideal hues and lines to highlight every eye and face. And what person can out perform His choreography--the graceful precise synchronized ballets performed in stunning, multi-tasked, water-resistant costumes?
The musical score was absolutely flawless. The choir of lofty children's voices--faultless. How I would cherish owning a CD of such splendidly pure repertoire!
Oh, I must say as an Idahoan that I delighted in the show-off pompous display of the greater sage grouse of our southern high desert...and yes I am a bit partial.
I must admit that I am all inadequate to describe in words what you will witness on the screen from the time you sore in on the European robin and view in all directions and from all heights the additional 23 species of regaling fowl.
Movie Review: Enthralling
Summary: 5 Stars
"Winged Migration" was shown on PBS not long ago. I set my VCR to tape it. Not having the time to check the length of the program, I had the VCR record it for one hour. As the tape played, I became totally enthralled by the majesty, strength, and beauty of the birds, the gorgeous photography, and perfectly accompanying music.
Then the taping cut off. The program had been one and one-half hours. I was missing the last half hour.
Far from being disappointed, however, it was a blessing in disguise. For this film is so extraordinary that a mere taping from cable doesn't do it justice and I decided to buy the DVD if available. I searched PBS; they didn't offer it. Next stop: Amazon. Sure enough, they had it, and it arrived two days ago.
The DVD is so magical I can't stop watching it. Plus my purchase helps support these wonderful people who created this tribute to the wonderful birds.
I have now returned to Amazon to buy *five* more as gifts. I know I will be giving family and friends a wonderful experience when I give them a DVD of "Winged Migration."
It is an experience not to be missed.