Oceanos

Absolutely stunning. Simply the most beautiful underwater imagery I've ever seen. It's hard to remain not too affected when talking about ecology. Here, the off screen speech is quite subtle, not too naive and not boring, because sparingly used, which leaves long lapse of dreamy sequences, without a word. Technically, it's easily one of the best documentary ever made. The camera work and photography are incredible, the montage is very effective, alternating slow and fast paced sequences. The score is not too obtrusive. There is a very striking scene, which reminds me the nautical funerals of Laetitia in "Les Aventuriers" by Robert Enrico, if you see what I'm referring to, you will easily notice it, and I assure this scene will stick to your mind for days... Visually stunning, subtle, very recommended.

It's important to note there are TWO versions of this film. Jacques Perrin's original runs 104 minutes and is narrated by Perrin in French. Disney bought the film, cut 20 minutes (much of it critical of human activity endangering the oceans and animal habitats), junked Perrin's spare narration, which lets you wonder at the sights on view, and substituted a gabby but emotionally chilly commentary by Pierce Brosnan.

Perrin's original version is not available in the US, per contract with Disney. The original is available in Europe on DVD and Blu-Ray (but unplayable on most US machines) but it seems to lack English subtitles. So you're pretty much stuck with Disney edition.

The original, however, is to my mind better and much more in line with Perrin's "Winged Migration" than the Disney version. The best that can be said for the US edition is that plays down the "humanizing" of animal life that was an annoy hallmark of Disney's True-Life Adventures of the 1950s.

Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud direct this documentary about marine life with beautiful images of underwater life. You may see something like this on the National Geographic channel, which downgrades the originality of the picture but Brosnan provides excellent narration and these kind of images never die in our minds and it is always lovely to see them again. The nature curious will certainly find something to love and others should to. It's a relaxing meditation and is perfect for kids or adults. The best part is that the film remains a humble length and resists growing ploys for self-indulgence. Only the unnecessary prologue narrative is a bit annoying. Other than that, a bulls eye.

Another great achievement from Walt Disney Studios. I had loved Earth, their outstanding documentary from last year and thus eagerly anticipated this film. If you are going to see one movie this year make it Oceans. This is why we go to the movies. An absolutely fascinating, breath taking, thrilling experience for the whole family. Seven tenths of our earth is ocean and even in this age of advanced technology there is still so much we don't know about the silent world beneath the waves. This movie bravely tackles that mystery. It makes us realize how in many ways us humans are so small and insignificant in the scheme of things, we only share three tenths of the earth. I love the part where they show the sea lions and animals feasting on each other (a dog eat dog world ha ha). The two parts of the movie that stood out for me are the ones involving our foolishness in polluting the ocean and killing its creatures (they even show it from space) and the shot at the end of the diver and the great white shark swimming together. Narrator Pierce Brosnan makes an eloquent speech about the importance of man and animals co existing together. I consider Oceans to be the best film I have seen this year and hopefully they will remember it at Oscar time!

First, if you want to watch a movie featuring incredible cinematography, this is the movie to watch. This is the movie that will cause you to ask: "How DID they get that shot?" The ocean is a big place and there's lots to photograph. The denizens of the deep are portrayed in a respectful and almost reverential manner. One scene in which one of the divers is swimming WITH a great white shark was both spectacular and emotional. This is the first movie this reviewer can recall where a great white shark is portrayed as something other than a wanton killer. The majesty of the sea creatures is awe inspiring. They deserve our protection; they must be preserved and they warrant our undivided admiration and respect. Objects for our amusement in captivity and considered a source of food, this movie shows the audience a different side of these sea creatures, a side that we rarely if ever notice or care about, but nevertheless is there. This movie is a definite must-see for children of all ages.