Penguins (film)

Penguins (film)
Name	Penguins
Director	Alastair Fothergill
Producer	Alastair Fothergill, Keith Scholey
Narrator	Ed Helms
Music	Harry Gregson-Williams
Cinematography	Rolf Steinmann
Editing	Andy Netley
Studio	Disneynature
Distributor	Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Released	17 April 2019
Runtime	76 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Penguins (film). *Penguins* is a 2019 American nature documentary film released by Disneynature as part of its series of Earth Day theatrical releases. Directed by Alastair Fothergill and narrated by comedian Ed Helms, the film follows the life of an Adélie penguin named Steve as he navigates the challenges of adulthood in Antarctica. Blending stunning wildlife cinematography with a humorous, character-driven narrative, the film aims to present the annual breeding cycle of these birds in an accessible and entertaining format for family audiences.

Plot

The film chronicles a year in the life of Steve, a young Adélie penguin embarking on his first mating season in the icy expanse of Antarctica. The narrative follows his journey from arrival at the rocky breeding grounds, through the arduous process of finding a mate, building a nest, and protecting eggs from predators like skuas and the harsh elements. Key sequences depict the shared parental duties with his partner, Adeline, including the long, treacherous marches to the Southern Ocean to gather food for their newly hatched chicks. The plot culminates with the chicks' fledging and Steve's return to the sea, completing his inaugural cycle of parenthood under the extreme conditions of the Antarctic summer.

Cast

The principal voice cast features Ed Helms as the narrator, who provides the comedic and empathetic vocal personality for the protagonist penguin, Steve. The film does not feature on-screen human actors, instead relying on the documented behaviors of its animal subjects. The production team, including director Alastair Fothergill and producers from Disneynature, worked with field scientists and cinematographers to capture the authentic lives of the Adélie penguin colony. The musical score was composed by Harry Gregson-Williams, known for his work on films like The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Production

Production was led by Disneynature, the documentary arm of The Walt Disney Company, under the direction of veteran filmmaker Alastair Fothergill, who previously co-directed Earth (2007 film) and Blue Planet II. Cinematography was led by Rolf Steinmann, with crews enduring the severe climate of Antarctica for over a year to film the Adélie penguin colony. The approach was to craft a coming-of-age story, anthropomorphizing the central penguin to create narrative drive. The editing team, led by Andy Netley, shaped hundreds of hours of footage into a coherent story, while the score by Harry Gregson-Williams was recorded with the Studio Orchestra in London.

Release

*Penguins* was released theatrically in North America by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on April 17, 2019, continuing Disneynature's tradition of an Earth Day release. The premiere was held at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. The film was released in various international markets throughout April and May 2019, including openings across Europe and Asia. For its home media release, it became available on digital platforms and Disney+, the streaming service of The Walt Disney Company, later in the year.

Reception

The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its breathtaking cinematography and family-friendly humor. Review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating based on critical consensus. Many reviews highlighted the effective and lighthearted narration by Ed Helms as a strength, comparing the film's tone favorably to earlier Disneynature releases like Monkey Kingdom and Bears (film). Some nature documentary purists critiqued the level of anthropomorphism and scripted comedy. Commercially, it performed modestly at the box office, consistent with the niche theatrical performance of nature documentaries.

Accolades

*Penguins* was recognized within the family and documentary film spheres. It received a nomination for Best Narration at the Jackson Wild Media Awards, a festival formerly known as the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival. The film's composer, Harry Gregson-Williams, was acknowledged for his score at various film music competitions. While it did not receive major nominations from organizations like the Academy Awards, it was celebrated for its educational value and was incorporated into classroom materials by environmental groups following its release on Disney+.

Category:2019 films Category:American documentary films Category:Disneynature films Category:Films about penguins Category:Films set in Antarctica