This heartbreaking documentary puts a face on the sad statistics of global warming--and though it's not a human face, it's the perhaps even more effective face of an adorable polar bear cub, Nanu, along with her mother, her brother, and her natural enemy, the equally heart-melting Seela the walrus. With breathtaking footage of life on the arctic tundra, the directors spin a highly emotional tale of the melting ice caps and the effect of their disappearance on every species in the ecosystem.

Since the film is essentially aimed at children, the cuteness factor is off the charts, aided by the slightly grating use of sound effects, a slangy voiceover by Queen Latifah, and a kid-friendly pop/folk soundtrack. And, as in a National Geographic special, viewers learn some interesting and neutral facts about polar bears, walruses, narwhals, foxes, and other northern creatures. The narrative, however, returns repeatedly to the grim conditions that are killing off our planet's wildlife, one family at a time. The directors take pains to create a hopeful ending, with a sweet pair of life-goes-on epilogues and a closing credit sequence featuring conservation tips, but the message of the film is sobering and hits its mark with kids and adults alike.

Theatrical Release - JULY 25, 2007 (Limited)

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Surround 2.0 Dolby Digital - English, French, Spanish
Surround 5.1 Dolby Digital - English, French, Spanish
Subtitles - English, French, Portuguese, Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Featurette - 1. Making Of Arctic Tale
2. Are We There Yet? World Adventure: Polar Bear Spotting
Trailers - Theatrical Trailer

Adam Ravetch: Director, ARCTIC TALE (2007)
Sarah Robertson: Director, ARCTIC TALE (2007)

Adam Leipzig: Producer, ARCTIC TALE (2007)
Keenan Smart: Producer, ARCTIC TALE (2007)

Joby Talbot: Composer, HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO... (2005)

"Both entertaining and educational, it's a visually stunning look at the natural habitats of two semi-aquatic marine mammals: the walrus and the polar bear."
3 stars out of 5 -- "The movie captures the drama, humor and tragedy in a way that is reminiscent of MARCH OF THE PENGUINS..."