Arctic Tale
DIR: Adam Ravetch, Sarah Robertson • WRI (narration): Linda Woolverton, Mose Richards, Kristin Gore • PROD: Kattie Evans, Adam Leipzig, Chris Miller, Keenan Smart • DOP: Adam Ravetch • ED: Beth Spiegel • CAST: Queen Latifah (narrator)

At first glance, this film is a family story with phenomenal images of wild life of the northern ice kingdom. But Arctic Tale is really about the changes of the world climate and its effect on the soon-to-be endangered species. The documentary-style narrative follows a female walrus Seela and a female polar bear Nanu from their birth to the birth of their own kin. They both endure similar stories of survival: learning the basics of living in the arctic, family drama, the battle of finding food and the hardships of staying alive. Queen Latifah narrates throughout the film.
 
The most prominent theme of Arctic Tale is the importance of family matters. Seela’s family life is close knit; with a strong support group at her side at all times until she herself starts her own family. Nanu endures the loss of her younger brother and an early parting from her mother. At the age of two, she has to survive on her own in one of the most difficult climates on the planet. The idea of Arctic Tale is obvious: these are animals exactly like us humans: they eat, they sleep, they fart and they have true psychological endeavors.
 
Arctic Tale is a family movie, and targets the younger audiences. During the credits, little kids explain to the audience simple ways to help the global warming crisis. This movie is compelling for the younger audience and informs them of the dangers of the climate change. But there are some unpleasant events in the movie that might not be appropriate for younger audiences. Walruses and polar bears are not compatible animals in the North. There is a scene where Nanu eats one of Seela’s family members in order to survive. This image is distressing because Nanu desperately feeds on a character that has been distinguished in the film as a lifesaver. This choice by the filmmakers has importance because it is a very emotional scene, but may not be the correct choice for the tone of the film.

Overall, Arctic Tale does a good job of conveying the harsh realities of the melting planet and does so in a family-friendly way. The footage is breathtaking and captures the beauty of mother earth. The combination of the two stories in a comparative structure is powerful and unforgettable.

Ruth Du
(Read biog here)

Rated G (see IFCO website for details)
Arctic Tale is released on 8th February 2008
Arctic Tale – Official website