Review of Winged Migration (2001) by Felipe V — 14 Aug 2009

Is Netflix ever wrong with the rating predictions? Here I thought I would give a five-star rating and it fluctuates from two to three. ha. Winged Migration begins with a disappointing and highly repetitive sequence of similar footage where various birds are starting out with their flight patterns.

It beats me how the filmmakers got that close to the birds in observing them from right beside their aerial 'V' but they did it and my pupils dilated. However, this goes on for longer than necessary.

The different species of birds aren't even discussed fully. You notice that English-speaking viewers will have some information omitted if you have subtitles on which tell more about the birds than the narrator.

Oh, and the narrator isn't even heard that often - mistake. I think it was the last forty-five minutes where things picked up. The birds reach their destinations and since there are so many of the birds' locales, brilliant shots are captured.

Then come in the PETA messages, some of which were filmed mysteriously. As in the filmmakers transcend any rules between humans and birds and PETA members and poachers. What impressed me about this documentary was its editing which I have to say was particularly good.

It goes along with the questionable filming techniques.