6 reviews
I didn't realise they still made movies like this anymore. A genuine film for the family with a spaced out narrative that requires an adult to completely suspend disbelief, though kid viewers will undoubtedly not care about the story's contrivances and just identify with and root for our three stranded heroes.
The prologue which in tone seems almost divorced from what follows, sees Kristofer Hivju from Game of Thrones, playing an unnamed humane trapper, who is injured by a distressed polar bear mother, on the otherwise uninhabited Norwegian Half Moon Island. This results in a rescue helicopter arriving from an unnamed northern town, on which unbeknowns to the clueless crew of 6, a trio of siblings has stowed away, in quite honestly, the most ridiculous of circumstances.
What follows is mainly about how the kids ( a young adolescent girl and her quite a deal younger twin brother and sister, survive in the harsh Arctic environment, (often through dumb luck more than anything else) and a mild kind of coming of age story centred on the older Julia. It's really not spoiling to say, she overcomes her initial wimpiness we see almost annoyingly overtly, early in the film, to mature as the twin's much depended - on guardian.
Operation Arctic features spectacular aerial and land visuals, as well as integrating some quite realistic CGI, into proceedings. Unfortunately, as alluded to earlier, realism is not really the term one would use to describe the narrative. Adults with even half a brain will cringe at the extreme naughty little brother factor utilised to get the kids hidden on the chopper. Once stranded on their new island home, writer-director Grethe Boe-Waal, quite unashamedly focuses the story on the children. There is virtually no cross - cutting back to civilisation. Thus there is no parallel story of a search for the missing trio. So the viewer is almost left with the inescapable feeling that the adults couldn't care, made even more strange by the fact that the siblings appear to be stranded on the island for quite a long time.
Other inconsistencies in plot see an earlier-seen sled team of dogs, just conveniently disappear from the story, bar one very cute canine. who helpfully returns to the trapper's ramshackle hut, to assist the kids with their many ongoing challenges. Such plot holes, whilst likely not concerning most young viewers, will frustrate older more discerning punters.
The three young leads though are undeniably appealing and together with the arctic landscapes and wild life, will certainly ensure Operation Arctic satisfies its intended audience.
The prologue which in tone seems almost divorced from what follows, sees Kristofer Hivju from Game of Thrones, playing an unnamed humane trapper, who is injured by a distressed polar bear mother, on the otherwise uninhabited Norwegian Half Moon Island. This results in a rescue helicopter arriving from an unnamed northern town, on which unbeknowns to the clueless crew of 6, a trio of siblings has stowed away, in quite honestly, the most ridiculous of circumstances.
What follows is mainly about how the kids ( a young adolescent girl and her quite a deal younger twin brother and sister, survive in the harsh Arctic environment, (often through dumb luck more than anything else) and a mild kind of coming of age story centred on the older Julia. It's really not spoiling to say, she overcomes her initial wimpiness we see almost annoyingly overtly, early in the film, to mature as the twin's much depended - on guardian.
Operation Arctic features spectacular aerial and land visuals, as well as integrating some quite realistic CGI, into proceedings. Unfortunately, as alluded to earlier, realism is not really the term one would use to describe the narrative. Adults with even half a brain will cringe at the extreme naughty little brother factor utilised to get the kids hidden on the chopper. Once stranded on their new island home, writer-director Grethe Boe-Waal, quite unashamedly focuses the story on the children. There is virtually no cross - cutting back to civilisation. Thus there is no parallel story of a search for the missing trio. So the viewer is almost left with the inescapable feeling that the adults couldn't care, made even more strange by the fact that the siblings appear to be stranded on the island for quite a long time.
Other inconsistencies in plot see an earlier-seen sled team of dogs, just conveniently disappear from the story, bar one very cute canine. who helpfully returns to the trapper's ramshackle hut, to assist the kids with their many ongoing challenges. Such plot holes, whilst likely not concerning most young viewers, will frustrate older more discerning punters.
The three young leads though are undeniably appealing and together with the arctic landscapes and wild life, will certainly ensure Operation Arctic satisfies its intended audience.
- spookyrat1
- Mar 7, 2021
- Permalink
Grethe Bøe-Waal has directed and co-written a film that's worth your time if you're looking for a good family flick. And, fortunately, it's also a movie that won't irritate the parents...something all too rare with family pictures!
When the story begins, three very young Norwegian siblings are starting a new school. However, by the end of the school day, the trio end up all alone on Half Moon Island...a barren island that, according to Wikipedia (yes, I looked it up), is off limits to most people and is a natural preserve....filled with polar bears, ice and...well, more ice! Is the way they arrived there believable? Not entirely...nor is it easy to accept that no one knows that they are there. For me, however, this was not a major problem After all, in some films you just have to suspend disbelief. What follows is a saga during which the trio fight for their lives against the elements, a shortage of food and a bear that seems quite eager to make their acquaintance! Can the kids escape this frozen prison or are they destined to become three human popsicles or snacks for the bears?
The story works pretty well and much of it is due to the deft direction by Bøe-Waal. These kids do seem a lot like kids and, while they are resourceful, they are also occasionally stupid (especially the two younger kids) and don't always have the answers. Some of the film simply relies a bit on luck as well as pluck and determination. And, in addition, the movie has some very tense moments and kept my attention throughout. A perfect family film, no. After all, a couple times I found myself wanting to slap these two kids I just mentioned. But it is a good film and is many ways very reminiscent of the old Australian film, "Walkabout".
When the story begins, three very young Norwegian siblings are starting a new school. However, by the end of the school day, the trio end up all alone on Half Moon Island...a barren island that, according to Wikipedia (yes, I looked it up), is off limits to most people and is a natural preserve....filled with polar bears, ice and...well, more ice! Is the way they arrived there believable? Not entirely...nor is it easy to accept that no one knows that they are there. For me, however, this was not a major problem After all, in some films you just have to suspend disbelief. What follows is a saga during which the trio fight for their lives against the elements, a shortage of food and a bear that seems quite eager to make their acquaintance! Can the kids escape this frozen prison or are they destined to become three human popsicles or snacks for the bears?
The story works pretty well and much of it is due to the deft direction by Bøe-Waal. These kids do seem a lot like kids and, while they are resourceful, they are also occasionally stupid (especially the two younger kids) and don't always have the answers. Some of the film simply relies a bit on luck as well as pluck and determination. And, in addition, the movie has some very tense moments and kept my attention throughout. A perfect family film, no. After all, a couple times I found myself wanting to slap these two kids I just mentioned. But it is a good film and is many ways very reminiscent of the old Australian film, "Walkabout".
- planktonrules
- Aug 22, 2016
- Permalink
Sorry about the corny title... I really enjoyed this adventure from Sweden. Indeed it's a family movie and it's great as there aren't many this days that are not animated cartoon. I would not worry too much about the believable side of it. If we can go with Harry Potter and the likes, this should present no problem. But the dynamic with the kids is very good, so is the scenery. Perhaps a little brady bunchy and why not. we can do with a little of mild family drama, instead of 'modern stuff' and reality ugliness we're ditched ad nauseum. Those bears are magnificent...But a passing thought came to me watching 'and listening to' them; do they have bad breath?
I seldom or rather never rate movies, so my review won't count either; but I can see only two reviews before mine so why bother about rating anyway . I'm sure most kids will enjoy this beautiful movie and so will their parents
- atrium72802
- Jun 20, 2020
- Permalink
I started the evening with no expectations on the film but what I was pleasantly surprised .. I have personally visited Svalbard and seen its beautiful scenery and i know how desolate the landscape can be. Because i have visited Svalbard I could even get a greater understanding of the the challenges the children were facing when they were fighting for survival. Both the music and how beautiful nature was filmed, gave this movie a deep, i was totally blown away in some scenes when nature was so magnifical that I could not help but to long for Svalbard.
A big round of applause for the children's performance in the acting in general, there were a number of moments i thought to myself ,during the movie, how i would have done if i had ended up in the same situation as the children. But based on that judgment that it was children, I think their actions in the movie in critical moments was fully justified, for they had no experience in arctic landscape and its dangers.
The film starts up at a good pace and continue on the same path until the end of the movie. This is a must see movie if you love arctic scenery, if you are passionate about adventure and survival, because it is not often that such a well-made family movie in survival adventure genre is created. Thanks Norway for creating this movie!
A big round of applause for the children's performance in the acting in general, there were a number of moments i thought to myself ,during the movie, how i would have done if i had ended up in the same situation as the children. But based on that judgment that it was children, I think their actions in the movie in critical moments was fully justified, for they had no experience in arctic landscape and its dangers.
The film starts up at a good pace and continue on the same path until the end of the movie. This is a must see movie if you love arctic scenery, if you are passionate about adventure and survival, because it is not often that such a well-made family movie in survival adventure genre is created. Thanks Norway for creating this movie!
- david_dellpiero
- Feb 28, 2015
- Permalink