Coming Soon to DVD, Blu-Ray and Digital Download from Disneynature, "Wings of Life" (Review)

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this new release from the vendor, in order to write up an honest review.  The views I share are mine and mine alone.

 

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"Spring is in the air—literally—as Disneynature prepares to unveil “Wings of Life,” a spectacular, closer-than-close, high-definition look at the intricate world of butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and bats, and their life-sustaining collaboration with flowers. Directed by Louie Schwartzberg (“America’s Heart & Soul”) and narrated by Academy Award® winner Meryl Streep, “Wings of Life” will be available on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Digital and On Demand on April 16, 2013—just in time for Earth Day.
 

“In the chaos and craziness of our day-to-day lives, few of us stop to consider what’s happening behind the scenes in nature that makes our lives possible,” said Streep. “This film is a stunning adventure that literally takes flight alongside all kinds of winged creatures—butterflies, bees and bats—each working hard to pollinate our planet.”

Said Schwartzberg, “For me, the joy of doing this film is to be able to explore worlds that humans can’t easily experience—bats sipping nectar in the middle of the desert at night, orchid bees expertly manipulated by a bucket orchid, exotic hummingbirds flying like airborne dancers, and a clustering monarch colony with millions of butterflies. I hope to share the spectacle of nature and to spark in others the sense of wonder I have about the natural world.”

Employing multiple cameras, both time-lapse and high-speed cinematography and extraordinary patience (while nature took its time unfolding), filmmakers shot on location in more than a dozen areas, ranging from the El Rosario Preserve in Michoacán, Mexico, to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Park in Arizona. “Wings of Life” features extraordinary imagery shot with digital cameras—one capable of frame rates of up to 1500 frames per second, and the use of a pinhole lens, which allowed the

cameraman to get within millimeters of an insect subject while retaining a clear view of the background. The resulting imagery—intimate and breathtaking—is brought to life for audiences through spectacular high-definition picture and sound quality.

To celebrate the debut of “Wings of Life,” Disneynature has made a contribution to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF) to protect pollinators worldwide. The DWCF has already supported more than 20 projects across North America focused on protecting pollinators and their habitats. Grants have helped conservationists save endangered butterflies, expand habitat for honeybees and educate children about the importance of pollinators and how they can help protect them.

The “Wings of Life” Blu-ray Combo Pack includes a sneak peek at Disneynature’s 2014 big-screen adventure “Bears.” In an epic story of breathtaking scale set against a majestic Alaskan backdrop teeming with life, the film, which is currently in production, follows two mother grizzly bears as they impart life lessons to their impressionable young cubs.

ABOUT THE MOVIE:

From Disneynature, the studio that brought you Earth, Oceans, African Cats and Chimpanzee, comes Wings of Life — a stunning adventure full of intrigue, drama and mesmerizing beauty. Narrated by Meryl Streep, this intimate and unprecedented look at butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, bats and flowers is a celebration of life, as a third of the world’s food supply depends on these incredible — and increasingly threatened — creatures.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg, Wings of Life utilizes riveting high-speed, time lapse and macro filmmaking to showcase in spectacular detail these unsung heroes of our planet."

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My Thoughts:

Remember last year's successful release of Chimpanzee from Disneynature?  Well, this year, they are releasing "Wings of Life" for all to enjoy, right around Earth Day.  Like the movie title suggests, this new release focuses of some of nature's most beautiful creatures, including butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and and even bats.  Without their presence, many of our plant life would be non-existent.

This new nature documentary directed by Louie Schwartzberg, is narrated by Academy Award winner, Meryl Streep.  I don't know about you, but I could sit and listen to Meryl Streep's voice for hours.  She does an amazing job as the narrator, in which she talks from the standpoint of the flower, who rely on the pollinators, like so many other plants, to survive and thrive. 

In addition to offering breathtaking up-close looks of nature and its habitants, Disneynature's main objective is to bring awareness and support to help conserve our planet, animals, etc.  This film does an amazing job at "revealing the fragile relationship between flowers and their pollinators, with a third of the world’s food supply depending on these increasingly threatened creatures.  This film uses high-speed, time-lapse and macro film making to showcase in spectacular detail these unsung heroes of our planet."  A handful of the scenes made me take a double look at they didn't look real.  It is truly amazing at how cameras can catch all the intricate details, like they have done in this movie.  With or without the narration, this movie could be enjoyed, as you lose yourself in the images of the beautiful butterflies and hummingbirds.  Here are just a few of the scenes that really made me sit up and take notice.

What a great conversation starter this new release with be, with Earth Day right around the corner,  I can see parents and children having thought provoking conversations about the importance of pollinators, and what would become of the planet if we all don't do our part to protect it -- including all the animals, plants, etc.  This is one movie you will not grow tired of, and will want to watch again and again.  So, if you are looking for a great nature film, why not pick up "Wings of Life" by Disneynature, when it releases on April 16th on Blu-Ray and DVD, so make sure you reserve a copy now, or pick up to enjoy just in time for Earth Day with your family. And, don't forget to follow Disneynature on Facebook and Twitter for new releases, special offers, and more.

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this new release from the vendor, in order to write up an honest review.  The views I share are mine and mine alone.