This post was written by Hatchet Reporter Kathryn Beard.
In Disneynature’s newest fable, ocean creatures swim far under the sea and their only human contact is the omnipresent voice of James Bond, who bellows grandiose statements like, “You have to feel the ocean’s power.”
“Oceans” is guided by the narration of actor Pierce Brosnan, explores Earth’s seven oceans and the creatures that call them home. There is no discernible plot to follow and no consistent characters to introduce; instead, the film floats slowly from ocean to ocean, satisfying human curiosity of what truly lies beneath the waves.
The filmmakers do not hurry to introduce new sequences; they are happy, for instance, to follow two humpback whales dancing a synchronized ballet for seemingly forever. Yet, the steady stream of images and blue water becomes hypnotizing, rather than monotonous; the audience is lulled into a dream-like state filled with jellyfish, otters and codfish.
Just like in typical Disney fairy tales, this blissful oceanic world is punctuated by danger and death. Frolicking sea lions meet their fate in the open-toothed jaws of a great white shark, and sea turtles find themselves trapped in the nets of awaiting fishermen. These moments of turmoil, however, are minor compared to the creatures’ otherwise sublime existence.
The film’s only failure is its attempt to give greater significance to the family friendly documentary. Regarding the environmental crisis, Brosnan declares, “Human indifference is surely the ocean’s greatest threat,” and then recounts the dangers of pollution. The images themselves, however, make more of an impact than the warnings of any celebrity, as they do what words can’t: depict the stunning fragility of the inhabitants under the sea.
“Oceans” will not change the environmental movement, but the film is a lighthearted, entertaining and ultimately worthwhile adventure. According to “Oceans,” humans are destroying the once untouched and pristine waters, but humans can also fix it and restore the ocean to its former glory. But as Brosnan succinctly states, “The oceans will fight on.”
