With ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD, Werner Herzog has once again delivered a compelling nature documentary, this one exploring life and death in Antarctica. While I didn't love it quite as much as GRIZZLY MAN or THE WHITE DIAMOND - it seems less focused, less passionate about the subject matter - this is still essential viewing for those who want to learn more about our world. And for fans of the director, of course.
The man vs. nature theme is present and correct here, as well as unusual creatures; the ones on display here are mainly made up of undersea beasties and some mentally ill penguins. Along the way, Herzog introduces us to the kooky characters inhabiting McMurdo station, and takes us up the slopes of Mount Erebus to get a look inside an active volcano. The cinematography is as clear and crisp as ever, and the narrative is thoroughly engrossing, so I wasn't disappointed, but I wasn't moved to tears here as in the other two productions I mentioned.
The man vs. nature theme is present and correct here, as well as unusual creatures; the ones on display here are mainly made up of undersea beasties and some mentally ill penguins. Along the way, Herzog introduces us to the kooky characters inhabiting McMurdo station, and takes us up the slopes of Mount Erebus to get a look inside an active volcano. The cinematography is as clear and crisp as ever, and the narrative is thoroughly engrossing, so I wasn't disappointed, but I wasn't moved to tears here as in the other two productions I mentioned.