Python Hyena Earth (2007): Dir: Alastair Fothergill, Mark Linfield / Narrator: James Earl Jones: Extraordinary documentary about the function of life. Filmmakers Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield create not only one of the best films of the year, but they also re-introduce documentaries to movie goers. They begin in the cold Arctic as a mother polar bear and her two cups search for food. The male polar bear is also searching for food but having much more difficulty. There is a great scene where the male comes across a herd of walruses and desperate, he attempts to take one down but fails. From there it hits the rain forests as hatchlings emerge for their first flight. Then in hot Africa a herd of elephants travel in search of water. There is a great confrontation sequence where elephants face off against lions for the water hole. While elephants certainly dominate by size, lions wait patiently because by night, their sight is much better. Then ocean footage oversees the migration of humpback whales as they travel the long haul from one destination to another. James Earl Jones provides the deep voice narration as these stories unfold. For those who enjoy hours of Animal Planet and enjoy wildlife programs, then this will suffice them. Beautifully shot with intriguing insight upon how the planet operates as well as a wonderful message regarding wildlife and the struggle for survival. Score: 10 / 10

Clayton Davis In 2006, the AMPAS awarded one of the most innovative documentaries depicting wildlife in the coldest place on Earth, that film was March of the Penguins narrated by Academy Award Winning Actor Morgan Freeman.Walt Disney Studios has had a monopoly on the animated circuit for decades now. They've taken their stabs at live action film making and it's been hit and miss all across the board. Disney then created a sub-division called Disneynature and release its first feature film titled Earth. This is absolutely one of the most touching and informative documentaries I've seen in quite sometime. Narrated by the great James Earl Jones, Earth doesn't offer anything new to anyone who has watched the Discovery Channel in the past five years or follows the Global Warming crisis very closely. Earth touches very deeply on the issue and takes a very liberal approach on the subject matter.It enables an emotional connection to nature that I haven't experienced before. It also shows not only the beauty and mystifying parts of our gorgeous planet, but the grunt and disturbing aspects that it often entails. It's one thing to watch "Mufasa" fall from a cliff in to a stampede or Bambi's mother be shot by a hunter in the middle of the woods. It's all good because at the end of the film we know it is, just that, a film. This shows penguins, polar bears, elephants, all types of families, from all walks of life, living and dying in their natural habitats. These real things make a real movie experience.Though a bit heavy-weight on the graphic nature of the film (which many people will disagree), Earth is a touching experience. There is stunning cinematography work here by a great camera team and an amazing score by George Fenton. In comparison to March of the Penguins or Grizzly Man, it doesn't really hold any measure but it stands great on its own. At the end of the day, you grow an appreciation of our planet and a bit of sadness as many of us will probably never get to visit these places we'll witness in the film. We live here yet it's like we never get to explore the planet for one reason or another. Earth is beautiful.***/****

Peter Grunbaum I just saw this tonight at the cinema in my hometown. I thought it was a 2009 release but now I realize it is from 2007. Anyway, it's a very nature film but no different from what one might see on television in an average show from National Geographic or Animal Planet. Nevertheless it is awesome to see it on the big screen, and I guess this movie is out because there is a climate conference in Copenhagen this year. Some attempts at a narrative is attempted in the story with the passing of the year but nevertheless there is no real plot. The narrator sounds like David Attenbourough but it is someone else by the name of Patrick Stewart. Anyway, this film has some splendid images and the background music is very good. Honestly, it is hard to understand that someone would rate this lower than a 10. I must say it is very refreshing to see a wonderful and beautiful movie like this one with all the superfluous garbage which is out nowadays. I cannot recommend this title highly enough. It is an extremely beautiful and wonderful experience to watch something like this in the cinema.

David Ferguson Greetings again from the darkness. Stunning photography highlights this Disney documentary and provides a glimpse into some of the harshness of animals that live in the wilderness. For anyone over 40, Disney and Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom provided much of our insight into wild animals since our childhood ... back when there was no channel dedicated to National Geographic or Nature or Animal Planet.What always fascinates is just how difficult the circumstances are for many of these majestic creatures. Watching the elephants trudge for days, nearly delirious from lack of water, is oh so painful. But their nighttime battle against the lions is thrilling.Some of the underwater shots are breathless. The mama and baby humpbacks are beautiful and watching the great white shark attack its prey is every bit as chilling as "Jaws". The most amazing scenery for me was the breathtaking views of the Himalayas. I had never seen such detail of the vastness of the range.Don't think most young kids today will be too excited by this one, but it surely is one of the most beautifully photographed documentaries I have ever seen.