OceanWorld 3D (2009) User Reviews

Best Animal Documentary since Winged Migration

[in1984 · 7/10 · 24 April 2010]

The makers of this film clearly understood the message of Winged Migration and the penguin film that followed it. People like in depth films from the perspective of animals.

So, rather than make yet another boring, copycat penguin film, they followed the curious life of a pregnant sea turtle as it goes on a unique type of migration through the ocean, which includes a different perspective on some of the animal villains of the penguin films.

Visually, the film work is truly impressive and sometimes so vivid and colorful you wonder if you're looking at a cartoon instead of reality. The narration is also a welcome change from the authoritarian, voice of god trying to add more meaning than needed.

Voyage of a turtle

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 5 April 2021]

'Oceanworld 3D' is the sort of documentary that will appeal to a lot of people and one that many will find a lot of worth in it, but there will be others that may not find it is to their taste. Not because of it not being in English, but more to do with what their thoughts are on 3D and what their thoughts are on documentaries that take a more human approach to the animals and their lives. Those two factors are going to garner, and have garnered, mixed opinions.

As for me, it is dependent on how the 3D is used and on the most part the more human approach has worked remarkably well in documentaries (though executed imperfectly in some). 'Oceanworld 3D' is an interesting and worthwhile watch, especially if you want to learn more about turtles and see something from their point of view. There are much better documentaries out there, but there is still an awful lot to like. Was somewhat mixed on the 3D but the way the animals were presented and such were done well.

There are many things done very well as already indicated. On the most part 'Oceanworld 3D' impresses visually. Underwater is both enchanting and full of colour yet also unforgiving and indicative that under the sea is not all idyllic and has its challenges. The cinematography as hoped is exquisite and rich in colour and on the most part the animals look great. The narration generally while not illuminating does well at entertaining and teaching, and it's delivered sensitively by Marion Cotillard.

In every nature documentary, a major star should be the animals. They are showcased beautifully here, whether prey or predator, cute or menacing and small or big. They are far from small in personality and are big on charm, it was very interesting seeing turtles on film and it is very rare to see a documentary told from their point of view. 'Oceanworld 3D' does this very well on the whole with a rootable protagonist and the behaviours of the inhabitants fascinate. The storytelling is cute, without being too much so, entertaining and emotionally investable.

By all means 'Oceanworld 3D' isn't perfect. Was less taken by the 3D, though it isn't executed disastrously. Generally felt that it could have been used less, that it didn't always serve a point and that it did look artificial when the inhabitants were shown up close. The music didn't always fit, sometimes sounding a bit too dramatic.

Some dark suspense is included, which works very well in many documentaries, but somehow did seem at odds with the overall tone here.

Concluding, not great but definitely worth tracking down, as long as you know what to expect. 7/10.

Great underwater adventure

[skulpinsky · 10/10 · 7 October 2009]

This is the movie entirely shown from the viewpoint of one character, the sea turtle. It means you will spend 80 min underwater and meet beautiful sea creatures rarely seen in the other documentaries. Unique camera work has shown the world of beautiful, weird but friendly creatures, which seem to address the viewer occasionally. They look especially alive in 3D flying like the undersea birds. Most of the creatures shown are not only rare but moribund. I hope this film will stimulate the efforts in protecting the ocean nature at least by keeping it clean, reducing the harmful waste and respect the ocean not as an entertainment or hunting place but another world living in its balance and harmony.

Appreciation to the films' authors for their contribution to protection of the sea animals.

The ocean has never been so boring before

[poljanfinegan · 3/10 · 11 October 2009]

I went to see the premier at the local 3D cinema. Ocean + 3D sounded like it should be an amazing adventure. But reality was different - the movie is gray and repetitive, the water inhabitants shown are dull and totally boring. The narration is targeted to children only (this isn't really a big problem). I have seen 2D ocean documentaries that were times more enjoying. The animals presented in Oceanworld are mostly the regular ones you can think of - turtles (as the protagonist - the whole movie is from the turtle's point of view), dolphins, seals, whales (a few kinds), sharks (also a few kinds), jellyfishes. When the movie ended, it seemed to me everyone else had as much fun as I did - people silently left the cinema, looking to the ground. A few funny moments and the 3d images of dangerous animals you could otherwise see only 2d add up to 3 stars - and that's how I am rating Oceanworld.