National Parks Adventure

While the scenery and cinematography were quite breathtaking, this 45 minute documentary lacked direction. The doc somewhat follows a group of people as they trek around a few national parks. I felt the special could have done better to highlight more parks and stuck to the history and general info, the people weren't necessary.

It is a really short documentary so we can't really see much of the great number of amazing national parks in America. Yet what we see is beautiful. Some amazing shots that make one want to just get up and go on a trip. Especially the Yellowstone park. In addition the documentary is not just about parks but about a group of people who do rock climbing there. not surprising since it is called "adventure". I liked the balance as there is not too much of it so most of the time one still watches the parks and at the same time they also offer some great shots such as their mountain bike riding. Loved the beautiful ice shots at the end and adorable prairie dogs which got a few minutes footage.

Considering you gotta fork over a full-price ticket to see a short- subject film, I was certainly disappointed.

The film inexplicably features three people who use the National Parks as their personal playground. Bizarrely, the film spends 10 minutes or so watching them cooking, riding in their car, tightrope walking, whatever. A true waste of time. Maybe these three people in the movie were related to the director? I have no idea.

Add to it the bizarre disservice done to who should have showed up in the movie and been the centerpiece: Native Americans. Having three white people as the centerpiece was a truly strange way to "celebrate" our National Parks.

If you have ever heard the stories Native Americans have about the lands of our country, you would be transfixed! Truly fascinating. If we had heard about how they worship the land and believe in its power, it would have made a tremendous difference. Instead, all we get is a brief reference to it by off-screen narrator Robert Redford.

A true missed opportunity, and a true disappointment.

**** (4 Out of 10 Stars)

Lots of beautiful hi-res footage of some amazing places. Makes me want to travel to the US. However, almost ruined by the cliché soundtrack and scripted scenes of the climbers. Conrad is an awesome guy who's done some exceptional stuff but this feels like a bit of a sell out.

Generally speaking if you enjoy films from the Banff film festival you will probably enjoy this one. Gorgeous scenery, a personal story, and a general overview of the parks.