Review: ‘Oceans’ – It’s World Oceans Day!

oceans-poster Movie:Oceans
In Theaters: April 22, 2010
Director: Jacques Perrin
Runtime: 86 minutes
MPAA Rating: G
Gecko Rating: 3 and Half Geckos

I KNEW there was a reason I didn’t post this review when ‘Oceans’ came out in theaters. I was saving it for today – World Oceans Day. Yeah, that’s the ticket.

In the tradition of Disney’s time-honored nature films, some of which used to air on TV on Sunday nights, director Jacques Perrin takes us on an underwater journey through oceans throughout the world. The colors and photography are absolutely stunning, and you’ll be wondering how the heck they got some of these shots (stay through the end credits, and you’ll get a glimpse at the divers with their underwater cameras and equipment; I’m sure we’ll get more of it on the DVD).

As you might expect, included is the sea life with which most of us are familiar – Orca whales, sharks, sea lions, penguins, sea turtles and various fish. It’s like ‘Finding Nemo’ in real life! But we also see creatures that look like they’re from another planet – a sea dragon that really does look like a dragon, a massively long eel, and a “Spanish Dancer” that indeed looks like a Flamenco dancer with her colorful skirts.

The film also has an ecological message (it was released on Earth Day, after all) that goes into how humans are endangering the ocean with pollution and trash. They don’t really get to that until the last 15 minutes of the film, so they’re not knocking us over the head with it.

oceans-1 

My 12-year-old daughter and her friend thought the photography was beautiful, but they got a little bored about half-way in. On the other hand, the younger kids who were sitting around us – in the 5 to 8 age range – seemed enthralled. So maybe it’s better for younger kids, especially those who’ve seen ‘Finding Nemo’ and can now take a look at the real thing.

There are definitely some perils involved, and some kids might find the shots of Orcas eating sea lions and seagulls picking baby turtles off the sandy shore a little upsetting. But the film doesn’t spend a lot of time on these shots. Overall, ‘Oceans’ is a gorgeous film with stunning photography and a message that we need to respect and care for our precious oceans.

For more on World Oceans Day:

Music and World Oceans Day

Ocean Lovers Unite

Celebrating World Oceans Day

Images: Walt Disney Motion Pictures


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5 responses to “Review: ‘Oceans’ – It’s World Oceans Day!”

  1. Alisa Bowman Avatar

    Yeah, my daughter still has trouble with the chain of life concept, but this looks like a great film so I’ll just put my hands over her eyes during the Orca scene.

  2. Sheryl Avatar
    Sheryl

    Thanks for writing about this movie. I must live in a hole; I wasn’t aware of it until now. It sounds like it’s right up my alley!

  3. […] Boursaw, Film Gecko, recommends watching Oceans, Disney’s photo […]

  4. MyKidsEatSquid Avatar

    I’ve been wondering about this movie. It looks great, but I read early reviews that turned me off–some of the same comments you made about the film getting boring halfway through. I think I’ll wait until its at the cheapo theater and then take the kids for an afternoon.

  5. […] Review: 'Oceans' – It's World Oceans Day! […]

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