It's Just Movies

— by JASON EAKEN —

Watching this trailer, the question that kept popping into mind was: Is this movie really necessary? Last year, Disney released “Earth,” so now of course we have “Oceans,” followed by, what, “Sky”?

Let me be clear: The footage is gorgeous. There are numerous images in the trailer that will be breathtaking on the big screen. There are some nice whale shots, there was a cluster of dolphins diving in and out of the water, which was very lovely. Briefly, I spied an octopus; what curious things they are, I’d someday love to interview one. And on and on it goes, but then when did anyone go see a movie because of its whale and dolphin footage?

“Earth” was compiled from footage from the brilliant BBC documentary miniseries “Planet Earth,” which also included sections on oceans. I don’t know if this film is comprised of such footage (although I don’t see why it wouldn’t be. Same producing company, same idea), but at the very least, the trailer violates one rule the documentary miniseries did not: it includes people. People and ships seem to be woven into the narrative of the film, and I have to say I don’t see the value of it. Why not skip the movie and rent the documentary?

The trailer’s title-cards want to sell the movie as if it is from the perspective of the animals living in the ocean. So, why include humans? Will it perhaps deal with oceanic creatures’ reactions to our presence? And now, once again, I’m back to my initial question: is this movie really necessary?

NOTE: “Free Willy.” That’s the last time anyone went to a movie because of its whale footage. “Whale Rider” would have seemed a candidate as well, but really it’s just a lovely movie about a young girl.

Source: Yahoo!

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