Film: Lemurs adorable, humans not so much
The feral faction of this Imax nature film holds up its end of the bargain. With their giant, limpid eyes and elastic grace, the lemurs are fascinating.
The feral faction of this Imax nature film holds up its end of the bargain. With their giant, limpid eyes and elastic grace, the lemurs are fascinating.
It's the human element in Island of Lemurs: Madagascar that disappoints. You can admire the dedication of Patricia Wright, the American primatologist who has been studying these creatures in their natural habitat for three decades. But her screen presence is strikingly soporific. She addresses the camera as if she were lecturing a child. A very slow child.
Morgan Freeman does an adequate job with the narration. And while Mark Mothersbaugh's score is often precious, there are some lovely songs on the soundtrack, balmy airs from the Madagascar group Tarika.
The photography is splendid, with some breathtaking aerial shots. And the lemurs are absolutely adorable. They deserve a more charismatic advocate, maybe a version where Wright is portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow.
Island of Lemurs: Madagascar ** (out of four stars)
Directed by David Douglas. Distributed by Warner Bros.
Running time: 39 mins.
Parent's guide: G.
Playing at: Area Imax theaters. EndText
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