Watching To The Arctic is probably the equivalent of transporting yourself to a whole new world, a fading paradise that is unknown to us. Directed by seasoned IMAX filmmaker Greg MacGillivray, To The Arctic is the first film presentation of One World One Ocean, a non-profit organization that aims to educate the world about the importance of the ocean. The trailers are a bit misleading - it's not only just about a mother polar bear and her cubs, but rather, the film shows the wide array of animals affected by global warming. This 40-minute documentary truly succeeded in bringing out the majesty of the Arctic.
The film opens from a bird's eye point of view, swooping in on the breathtaking Arctic cliffs. Filmed in the king of all 3D formats, IMAX really works to their advantage, immersing viewers in the harsh, frigid, magnificent realm of the Arctic. The fish eye lenses achieve extremely wide angles that give spectators a panoramic view from the sparse clouds in the sky above to the tiniest cracks in the ice below. The soundtrack by Steve Wood and Sir Paul McCartney lightens the atmosphere, a swelling, tangible symphony that has as much depth as the 3D sights themselves. Narrator Meryl Streep places meaning to every word, and brings in a goldmine of emotion to the script written by Stephen Judson that adds a tremendous amount to the overall tone of the documentary.
There's a fine line not to cross - documentaries can be tedious if they push the environmental message too much. They can also be entertaining to the point we forget the gravity of the effects of global warming. To The Arctic succeeds in walking the tightrope without falling off, using the footage as the balance pole.
Sprinkled with awws and LOL moments, To The Arctic drove home the powerful message, especially with the combined elements of motherhood and survival. We embark on a journey with a mother polar bear, whose fierce devotion and willingness to die to protect her seven-months-old cubs touches the audience's heart. Even so, polar bears can't survive the rapid rupture of the ice. It is predicted that by 2050, the Arctic will disappear entirely. While they may be powerless to change the environment, we can do our part to protect their icy habitats. To The Arctic pulls at the heartstrings, motivating viewers to save the vanishing environment of the furry white bears as well as the walruses, birds, and caribou.
Travel on the ultimate journey to the wild Arctic for the noblest cause - to save the environment. Don't let yourself sink into the mindset that one person can't make a difference, because YOU can make a difference! Go to http://www.oneworldoneocean.org/ to help save the Arctic today.
Don't miss this irreplaceable, thrilling IMAX experience! It's a PICKIt! Ages 4+
