Earth Film Review

1 hr. 30 mins.

Starring: James Earl Jones (narrator)

Directed by: Alastair Fothergill, Mark Linfield

MPAA Rating: G

Rating: *** stars (out of 4 stars)

There are a lot of things that one can chide Disney about on any given day-repetitive fluff regarding the latest cute furry animal, alien or adorable robot for instance. Or how about the opportunistic cashing in on the trident pop cultural pubescence radar where the Zac Ephron/Miley "Hannah Montana" Cyrus/Jonas Brothers craze persists? Refreshingly, Disney has gone another route in the live action/educational documentary Earth, a simplistically titled but sumptuous and tranquil piece on the planet's varying ecological system.

A distinctive branch from the Disney-producing machine, Disneynature showcases a polished and picturesque take on the global environment and the effect it has on vast wildlife living amongst us. Enriching, informative and noteworthy, Earth explores the wonderment of our neighboring species and the behavioral observations that ensue in glorified curiosity.

Fascinatingly, Earth is the spin-off of the acclaimed BBC Planet Earth series. Co-directors Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield serve in eye-popping fashion the exquisite sites and sounds of the planet's animal kingdom in harmonious-and sometimes harsh-fashion with crisp and colorful photography and insightful commentary on the resiliency of the ecosystem. Narrator James Earl Jones, the sophisticated and legendary deep-voiced actor, adds a distinguished vocal touch to accompany the dazzling visual spectacle of Earth's vital message. In fact, the release of Earth is very fitting given this current month of April 2009 that asks the planet's citizens to acknowledge the importance of Earth Day's symbolic presence.

Specifically, the transfixing nature-driven fantasy concentrates on the animalistic bonding between parent and offspring captured in terrific footage that is quite revealing in artistic scope. Whether spotlighting the parental rituals of African elephants in the Kalahari Desert, the North Pole's polar bears or the traveling trials and tribulations of humpbacked whales in Antarctica, Earth vibrantly and vividly seizes the moment in its breathtaking profiling.

Basically, it's survival of the fittest-a welcomed cliche in a complicated animal world where predators and prey are equally exposed and vulnerable. Naturally, Earth takes the time to also speculate on how the threatening global climate's affecting conditions are intruding on the beasts' natural habitat. There are notable consequences and a self-explanatory impact that traces the ordeal of these wondrous creatures and their attempts to adjust to the fluctuating surroundings.

The depiction of wildlife struggles of existence in Earth is shattering in its sheer sympathetic sentiments while also harboring elements of instinctive spirit and poignancy. There's a lyrical landscape that radiates at will: migrating birds, hunting lions, inquisitive polar bears, carnivorous cheetahs making snack food out of exotic gazelles, intimidating great white sharks striking in fierce rhythms-all are compelling sequences that are tellingly imaginative and intensifying.

From fleeing caribou to the eavesdropping on charming baby ducks, Earth puts on a challenging poetic show in nature and nurturing sync within the perplexing and provocative confines of our global society we share in confrontational conflict with our endangered wild.