Sometimes the simplest conflicts are the best ones. Take Luc Jacquet's March of the Penguins. It's man penguin versus nature; it's love; it's birth; it's death. Each theme is simple. Each theme is clear. The result is a film that packs more emotion than anything I have seen in at least a couple of years.

March of the Penguins is such a basic concept. The film documents the yearly cycle of the Antarctic's emperor penguins and the great lengths they must endure in order to survive and repopulate. Just before winter begins, packs of penguins set forth to march some 70 miles inland where they all meet at the same mating grounds. Males and females pair off, get to know one another and do the deed. Once the egg is laid, the female passes it off to the male. She heads back to the ocean to feed, he stays behind and hangs out in the bitter cold. Just as the egg hatches, the females return with full tummies and food for their offspring. Now it's the males' turn to march back to feed. The cycle continues to begins anew every year.

It's really quite amazing all that these birds endure annually just to lay an egg. If one thing goes wrong, all the work is for nothing. There's no consolation prize, just a long wait for another year. March of the Penguins plots out the other dangers that the penguins must face, such as starvation, various predators and even one another.

The circle of life is such a simple concept, yet it is so universal. Director Luc Jacquet explains the film in very human terms. The penguins go through many emotions: suffering, loss, love, dedication. The documentary is so successful because we can see some of ourselves in the penguins.

Recently a father myself, I don't think I would have reacted as strongly to March of the Penguins had it been released a year ago. But now that I have a daughter of my own, the film caused me to look inward and celebrate birth and the joys of parenting (not to mention the joy of not having to change a diaper for a couple of hours while I was in the theatre).

As you might expect, the cinematography is gorgeous, showing the stars from a variety of distances. They can be a silhouette of soldiers on the horizon or Jacquet can get right up close, making their skin look like abstract art.

While the narration does seem to ramble on at times when you just want to watch, it is Morgan Freeman whose doing the speaking. He's a relaxing choice for a fireside film.

March of the Penguins is powerful in getting to the point. It is a story so remarkable that it's almost hard to believe. However, the stars' dedication to the continuation of life and survival should be an inspiration to all.

©Movie Views; July 22, 2005