“Winged Migration” is an amazing documentary. It follows various bird migrations through 40 countries and all of the seven continents. Utilizing various filmmaking techniques, a crew of over 450 people and just about every type of flying contraption available, director Jacques Perrin has created a stunning visual feast. It is as beautiful and uplifting a documentary as I have ever seen. It was justifiably nominated for a 2003 Academy Award, and I’m hard-pressed not to feel it deserved to win. The thing about a movie like “Winged Migration” is that it immediately appeals to just about every side of my nature. The animal lover in me just sits back and enjoys the intimate look into the lives of these creatures. My love of terrific cinematography is almost overdosed by the astonishing camera work. The educational side of me is filled with an immense amount of information about a subject that I am only slightly familiar with. Even the humorous and sarcastic side of my nature is fulfilled by the narration.

Let me explain that last comment. Everything about “Winged Migration” is perfect. It is truly a beautifully made film. However, the only thing that causes me to take a step back from it is the narration. At times it seems a bit pompous and perhaps self-indulgent at times. But even that in itself is not the problem. As politically incorrect as it may seem for me to say, it’s the narrator’s thick French accent that does me in. I couldn’t help but be reminded of an aging Maurice Chevalier singing, “Sank Hhheaven, for leetle girls…” every time I heard it. A good friend of mine even compared it a little to Pepe Le Pew, and I have to admit to agreeing ‘weeth heem….’

Aside from that little nitpick, “Winged Migration” is a terrific film that is sure to delight all of you Discovery Channel fans out there. The new DVD release from Sony / Columbia Tristar takes viewers far beyond the sights and sounds of the feature itself. It even helps to alleviate some of the parts of the film that were somewhat upsetting to some audiences. It’s nice to learn that two scenes were not as awful as they might have seemed. In one, a bird is shown caught in an oil slick, and in another a wounded bird is attacked by crabs. Unfortunately, in nature these tragedies do happen as it is shown in the film. However, the filmmakers are not hard-hearted naturists. The oil slick scene was set up on a sound stage and the wounded bird is later saved off-camera. (Whew!)

I have two strong recommendations when it comes to “Winged Migration.” On the lighter side I recommend you read an online review of the theatrical release written by Gary Murray. If you are reading my review on TheCityWeb.com, you can find it elsewhere on this site. If you’re reading this review on LethalDeath.com, go to TheCityWeb.com and check it out. It is one of the funniest reviews I have ever read, and still gives a really good idea what the film is about. The other recommendation? Watch and enjoy “Winged Migration.”

Directed by: Jacques Perrin
Extras: Making of Featurette, Director’s Commentary, Creating the Music, Photo Gallery with Filmmaker Commentary, In-Depth Filmmaker Interviews
Specifications: Widescreen (1.85:1), Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Sony / Columbia Tristar
Release Date: 11/18/2003
Region 1
MPAA Rating: G
Website

We'll give Winged Migration a B.