John Panagopoulos
Earth's oceans symbolize the eternal mysteries of life and death themselves. No examination of them could ever completely solve that mystery. Perhaps it is better just to sit silently, observe, and respectfully marvel at the countless wonders oceans have to offer. With narrator Pierce Brosnan, and co-directors Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud, "DisneyNature's Oceans" takes exactly that simple approach."DisneyNature's Oceans" begins at a seashore, with a young boy silently gazing upon the water. Then, the documentary takes us on a rather comprehensive tour of the staggering variety of invertebrates (animals with no backbones), fish, birds, reptiles, and mammals that depend upon the sea for food, reproduction, communication, and even hygiene. Brosnan wisely does not talk endlessly throughout the documentary. He'll make an occasional remark about a previously unknown aspect about an animal, then largely let the classical musical score and the action speak for themselves. This reinforces the awe and respect humans really should feel for the ocean and all its creatures.The animals run the gamut from sea slugs and crabs to colossal whales. For example, we see dolphins dash through the water and do spinning acrobatics. We witness sharks stalk and grab sea lions. We observe sea lions on land, quarreling with their neighbors and protecting their young from males sparring for breeding rights. All these animals, plus dive-bombing birds called gannets, chase a massive, whirling ball of sardines for their share of fish. We see giant humpback whales cooperate to trap sardines and herring in "bubble nets" and then scoop them up in vast mouthfuls. The largest creature in history, the blue whale, vacuums in tons of tiny, shrimp-like krill. We hear humpbacks vocalize with unique songs to communicate and attract mates. Killer whales swim perilously close to the shallows to snatch sea lion pups from the shore. Iguanas crop moss from boulders at the sea bottom. Baby sea turtles hatch and crawl frantically towards the water before they can be snatched up by a predator. A poisonous sea snake sinuously swims by. Various fish, including the largest living fish, the whale shark, allow tiny fish to swim around their face and mouth and eat the parasites and dead skin that annoy them, without ever giving into the temptation of swallowing them. A mother walrus cradles her chubby baby in the water.The above images described in "DisneyNature's Oceans", plus many others, show the harmonious balance among different animal species and their environments. Unlike other Disney nature documentaries, none of the animals shown (not even the sea lions, walruses, and penguins) are treated as comic buffoons or people. They are wild, and often mysterious animals, and, I think, inspire curiosity and amazement. But then, "DisneyNature's Oceans" shows the main threat to this seemingly eternal harmony: us. With our noisy fishing boats and their wide nets entangling creatures besides fish, our oil refineries and hundreds of tons of pollution (one stark image shows a sea lion swimming past a shopping cart buried in the sea bed), this documentary shows that we have behaved shamefully towards the sea and that we must act soon to reverse our harmful influence before we lose the sea forever."DisneyNature Oceans" serves both as an educational biological and environmental documentary, and, I believe, should be shown in both middle school and high school science curricula. There are no truly graphic images of animal predation, although crabs, sardines and sea lions ARE killed and eaten; therefore, only truly sensitive people might not enjoy this documentary. However, there are also really astounding shots such as a scuba diver swimming alongside a 15-foot great white shark that make you appreciate the risks and chances these underwater photographers took to increase our oceanographic knowledge. Hopefully, that knowledge is increased enough so that people like you and me care enough to keep the eternal oceans just that – eternal. Fortunately, mankind's efforts to preserve the sea are the strongest they have ever been.
Python Hyena
Oceans (2009): Dir: Jacquacs Cluzaud, Jacquacs Perrin / Narration: Pierce Brosnan: The question is poised during the opening moments of this fetching documentary, "What is the Ocean?" We begins with a group of boys staring out at the lush wonders before we are taken deeper. Filmmakers Jacquacs Cluzaud and Jacquacs Perrin do a fine job at taking viewers beneath the surface as dolphins playfully leap and dive in union. Crabs crawls about the oceans bottom. Various whales are shown including the humpback whale, orcas, beluga, and the biggest of all, the blue whale which we're told is as long as a half block and weighs 120 tons. We witness sea lions frantically struggle to escape the gaping jaws of great white sharks. Plus we are subjected to polar bears on the Arctic surface. It all began with Earth, an excellent documentary by Disney that seems to inspired many animal related theme movies. Unfortunately Oceans lacks the effective narrative storytelling that Earth presented. Oceans has breathtaking scenery of great shots of wildlife but without the narrative structure it is nothing more than a pleasant view. That ranks it perhaps the weakest entry in this promising franchise yet still worthy viewing for families. This is fine viewing for anyone interested in marine wildlife but much of it was already referenced in Earth. The two can easily double bill. Score: 6 ½ / 10
kiwisago
As this film had Disney associated with it, I was braced for some overly verbose and intrusive narration, dripping with sentimentality, obtuse observations, or silliness, but was pleasantly surprised.With a relatively restrained, fairly minimal and intelligent narration, I found I could focus easily on the images themselves. Since this is my main desire when watching nature films, I was very happy with it.The photography is nothing short of astonishing. The animals are usually clearly presented in the context of their particular environment, and the editing is good. As well, there are animals shown that I've never heard of, that are really strange and beautiful.
dandydan69ca-2
This is what our world must demand from all the studious out there making films of any kind. Our race must wake up now and not only learn of all the wonderful being's we are so honored to share our earth with but we must as a united whole, start helping each and every one of them on land and sea that are so desperately in need of us do more than just care. It all begins with the young. Parents of this world hear my plea, teach your cherished babies right after they learn to speak of what really matters in this life. Show them while they are tiny the horrors that we bestow on them all. Teach them that all life has its place on this earth and each and every last species matters. Look at what dear Terri Irwin and our now gone hero Steve taught their little darling Bindi in his so few years he had with her. I say let us surround our lovely Bindi with an army of youth who think just as she does. If we can teach all the young worldwide and demand in all their schools 1 hour out of every day they attend gets devoted to learning on a specific creature and show them programs starting with this one. Show the horrible as it must be seen Earthlings, entire schools watching together at the same time. And let them choose their favorite life forms to care for most. By letting the kids do projects on them. Well what do you all think is going to happen from this? Well I will tell you and that is our race will awaken and realize it's our duty to show all life that they can live without fear from us and that we are their friends who will protect rather than hurt them. When we accomplish this we will evolve into the potential of a loving and caring being we all have within us to be. Many who read this may think I am dreaming as well as rambling on and they may be right. But I still have hope in humankind that we can join together and not only care for our race but all races of beings on our 1 earth. Hooray to Disney and Sir Walt who is smiling down after watching this gem.
