Polar Opposites

Hallmark does Antarctica. That must surely mean they have done a film on pretty much every continent on earth now, right?

"Polar Opposites" is good fun, with more ingenunity in the Plot Department than Hallmark movies are generally known for.

These on-location shoots always produce the best finished product, and the icy landscape made for a great backdrop to the film.

I admit I'm a sucker for Rhiannon Fish, and she's at her best here as Emma, opposite Markian Tarasiuk's Andy, sneaking aboard a vessel bound for Antarctica to rescue her father, who has suddenly lost communications.

I bet you can't guess what happens in the end between Emma and Andy? Good fun.

This Hallmark story has an endearing cast and features some wonderful photography of South America, sometimes standing in for Antarctica.

Emma (Rhiannon Fish) is an illustrator whose father studies penguins in Antarctica. When he calls her about an emergency, their connection is terminated, so she becomes worried. She immediately hops a plane and tries to find a boat ride into the southern waters. Along the way, she meets an engineer named Andy (Markian Tarasiuk) who is on a mission to the southernmost continent.

The always-wonderful Ms. Fish is surrounded by a strong cast. The story is about more than romancing, and the narrative feels like a real adventure. The most surprising thing about the film is how they managed to capture the story, including animal behaviors, beautiful scenery, and some effects that feel totally natural. It must have been an experience to film.

Emma (Rhiannon Fish) gets a call from her father which gets cut off. He is doing penguin research in Antarctica. She is afraid that he's in trouble and desperate to find him. Antarctica requires an official permit which she does not have. She becomes a stowaway and Andy (Markian Tarasiuk) is the leader of the scientific team on the ship.

At least, they got to Argentina. I really wish that they actually went to Antarctica to get a few scenes with the penguins. That is probably asking for too much. They are using zoo penguins, special effects, and stock footage to do the animal scenes. Emma is a bit much. Maybe she should be a heart doctor which would make getting to her father more reasonable. It's a little silly that she's an illustrator. She has no qualification to do anything.

"Polar Opposites" is a light, predictable romance set on the way to and then in Antarctica that delivers an average yet mildly entertaining experience. The story, while unoriginal, keeps you engaged with its themes of love and connection, bolstered by a unique subplot involving AI penguins. Rhiannon Fish carries the movie with a charming performance, though the rest of the cast feels interchangeable. The dialogue is below average, the CGI is unimpressive, and the emotional impact is limited. While cute in its simplicity, the movie doesn't leave a lasting impression. Typical Hallmark movie; it's fine for a casual watch but unlikely to be revisited or remembered.

Love when Hallmark leaves Canada to film on location-this time to Patagonia and Ushuaia, Argentina-the gateway city to Antarctica. The cruise and location footage was exceptional.

I won't go into detail about the movie since the first reviewer here(Fire And Ice) did such an excellent job but I will say I stayed with the movie till the end because of the strong cast and interesting chemistry between the two leads, Rhiannon Fish and Markian Tarasuik. There was an ease between them that sold the developing relationship and storyline-farfetched at times.

So I give Polar Opposites a 7 for the lead actors, the scenery and of course, the penguins.