Movie Review Friday: March of the Penguins

Escape to the movies with one of our Movie Review Friday selections. Each week we review a film with an environmental theme that's currently in theaters or available on DVD. Seen a good eco-flick lately? Send us a short review and look for it in the next Movie Review Friday.

March of the Penguins (2005)

Available on DVD

Eloquently narrated by Morgan Freeman, March of the Penguins follows a colony of emperor penguins over the course of one year. The film begins, appropriately, in March, when the birds leave the ocean and begin a staggering 70-mile trek across Antarctic ice to their annual breeding ground.

The playful penguins' journey is great fun to observe as they take waddling strides or belly-slide over snowdrifts. After finally reaching their destination, the penguins slowly pair up to procreate, and the film showcases each bird's dedication to its egg. By far the best part of this documentary comes when those eggs hatch: Who can resist fluffy baby birds?

Though billed as family-friendly, March of the Penguins deals with some subject matter that may not be appropriate for the youngest viewers. It starts off fun and lighthearted but touches on themes of death. Some of the birds don't survive the harsh winter, while others become dinner for leopard seals. Despite knowing that the predator-prey relationship is part of nature, you can't help but root for the elegant penguins and their adorable chicks.

This is a sweet story of love and dedication, struggle and survival. Despite the ups and downs, anyone who watches March of the Penguins will understand the need to preserve such an incredible species.

--Sophie Matson