“Man is a clever animal who behaves like an imbecile.” –Albert Schweitzer
While I like to think I’m doing the best I can to “make every day Earth Day,” I wanted to do something a little special to commemorate the day, so I decided to see Oceans. Disneynature is creating a welcome Earth Day tradition starting with last year’s offering Earth, and Oceans will be followed by African Cats in 2011. These films are not only both breathtaking and illuminating, their openings come with a give back element that makes you just want to hug someone.
Oceans is bookended by a young boy looking out at the ocean with a sublime look of wonder, perhaps he is asking himself what it is. From that opening to scene to the poppy Joe Jonas/Demi Lovato duet “Make a Wave” in the credits, Oceans makes a subtle plea to young filmgoers to protect this unique environment. I find it hard to imagine that anyone of any age wouldn’t be moved to make a difference after watching this beautiful movie.
“Human indifference is surely the ocean’s greatest threat,” states narrator Pierce Brosnan. The former 007 might seem like an unlikely sage, but with his understated delivery, he comes across as just that. Writer Michael Katims wisely lets Brosnan wax philosophical, for the most, rarely having him comment on what we are seeing. In fact, occasionally we’ll see an animal that we might not recognize and we aren’t told what it is; instead we are left to experience the animal in its natural habitat and the feeling is wonderful.
I want you to see this film, so I don’t want to spoil it by telling you too much. Then again I do want to mention a few of my favorite parts. One scene shows several different animals – birds, dolphins, fish, etc. – in the same area feeding. I was struck by the community that exists in nature as this mealtime showed both cooperation and conservation, two things that seem rare when it comes to us landlubbers. There’s a crab war that I can’t even really describe to you, but I can guarantee if we went to see it together I would be that guy who telegraphs that something cool is about to happen, then I would follow that up by asking you if you saw what just happened. For the record, I’m not that guy, but this would bring it out in me. Another favorite is a group of humpback whales hanging out and having a conversation; simply put, these creatures are the reason the word “awesome” was invented.
While we do see disturbing images of the human impact on the ocean, the message is presented in a palatable way. With satellite imagery, we can see the pollution we are pumping into the oceans. It’s startling and we can only hope that it will move people to action. And Disneynature makes your first step toward action an easy one.
See Oceans, Save Oceans. Go see Oceans during opening week, until April 28, and they will make a contribution to The Nature Conservancy in your honor. The donations are earmarked to help establish new marine protected areas in The Bahamas. If you’re not able to make it opening week, you can still help by donating to The Nature Conservancy’s Adopt-a-Coral-Reef program in the Bahamas.
Please, go see Oceans. Then come back here and let me know your favorite parts. Okay?
