5 Things You're Going To Love About Disneynature's Penguins!

My hat is tipped as Disneynature has done it again. Just in time for Earth Day, Penguins will release in theaters on April 17th and you will not want to miss seeing this family-friendly tribute to our amazing planet, on the big screen.

Disneynature’s all-new feature film “Penguins” is a coming-of-age story about an Adélie penguin named Steve who joins hundreds of thousands of fellow males in the icy Antarctic spring on a quest to build a suitable nest, find a life partner and start a family. None of it comes easily for him, especially considering he’s targeted by everything from killer whales to leopard seals, who unapologetically threaten his happily ever after.

There are 5 (non-spoiler) things I know you’ll love about this film and I’m eager to share them with you!

5. The Soundtrack

The comedic timing in Penguins, is superb. According to director Alastair Fothergill, not all penguins are created equal. “The Adélie penguin is by far the most characterful penguin on the planet,” he says. “People may be more familiar with Emperor penguins, but they’re actually pretty mellow. I like to say that Emperor penguins are the California surfers and Adélie penguins are New York City taxi drivers. They have attitude. They’re feisty. They have an extraordinary amount of expression in their eyes. They almost look animated. And I knew—with their big personalities—the film would have a lot of comedy.”

The song choices that set the tone in Penguins, are simply perfect and lend to that comedy.

4. The Education

Personally, I just don’t think we should ever stop admiring, learning and taking care of our world. “Penguins” continues Disneynature’s conservation tradition: for every ticket sold opening week (April 17-23, 2019), Disneynature will make a donation to the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) to help protect penguins across the southern hemisphere!

It’s hard NOT to learn a thing or two from the Disneynature films.

3. The Dedication Of The Filmmakers

This is what gets me every single time. As an adult, you have complete comprehension of what goes into the situations the filmmakers are in.

To capture the footage for “Penguins,” a team of the best polar experts in the world was dispatched to multiple locations over the course of three years. Cinematographers immersed themselves in the icy habitat, gathering footage on land and underwater, from boats, from helicopters and on foot—shooting for a total of nearly 900 camera days. The logistics of accessing the shooting locations were challenging—it can take up to two weeks just to travel to certain areas. “These locations may be the hardest locations to get to of any Disneynature film we’ve made so far,” says Fothergill. “It’s hard to think of a tougher habitat on the planet.”

2. Ed Helms As Narrator

I just adore Ed Helms and when I heard he was giving voice to this already amazing nature film, I knew it would absolutely carry a tune of humor. And he doesn’t disappoint. Helms says, “Even though they’re birds, they’re really aquatic creatures, and in the water they’re unbelievably graceful and elegant, fast and agile. But on land, they’re so awkward; they walk with this sort of weird wobble. And yet, they have such spirit and moxie because they persevere in these crazy Antarctic conditions.”

1. Steve

The main character of this movie will melt your heart and make she smile the entire film…and I mean that. Steve is one of the most likable characters I’ve encountered in recent film! Steve is a 5-year-old Adélie penguin who’s getting ready for the next step in his life: building a family.Steve measures two feet tall and weighs about 15 pounds.

When the film begins, it’s late September and summer is underway in Antarctica. After walking more than 100 miles on the ice to get to the colony where he hatched, Steve joins 300,000 other males in an effort to choose a site and build a spectacular nest out of assorted rocks, bones and pebbles to prepare for the females’ arrival. Good nests attract potential partners. But it’s not as easy as it sounds.
You’re going to love him.

Download The Fun Family Activities!

Disneynature’s Penguins opens in theaters this Earth Day, April 17th. And be sure to download the Family Activity Packet for a whole lot of smart fun!

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