Polar Bears 3D: Ice Bear

The imposing and majestic bear is a creature that immediately attracts us as both a ferocious beast that could potentially kill a person with a single swing of its gigantic paw and an adorable, cuddly animal that we instantly want to pet. It's a funny thing about humans; we are often fascinated and enchanted by the things with the potential to harm us. We fear the beasts of the wild but are also curious about them. Whereas other animals turn and run away, we, perhaps stupidly, want to investigate, want to learn more and discover what makes it tick in such a way as to scare us. Granted, this naturally inquisitive aspect of our species has largely worked to our evolutionary benefit. But for the animals, that for the most part want to be left alone, our curiosity of them has caused more harm than service.

And so, this is where the documentary 'Polar Bears' comes in, by Adam Ravetch and Sarah Robertson of Arctic Bear Productions ('Arctic Tale,' 'To the Arctic'). Like their other films, this is a well-intentioned piece on the carnivorous Arctic animals with tidbits about the growing ecological changes which are starting to create serious damage to the species' survival. The difference between this and their previous work, however, is that the message is not as heavy-handed or continuously pressed upon the audiences. Rather, we simply follow one adolescent bear through his journey from arctic ice to land in search of food to live the summer months. It's while on this voyage, we slowly learn of the changes occurring around him and its impact on his survival forcing him to go against instinct.

With stunning photography of this desolate region just north of Canada, the film ironically shows that amid the immense beauty surrounding the polar bear, the harsh land is increasing its brutality, making it more difficult with each season to endure. Affectionately called Ice Bear, our friend must swim further than ever before on this particular year because the summer has grown longer, meaning the season arrives sooner and ends much later. Because his preferred hunting season is during the winter, which is when seals are on average more abundant, Ice Bear must try to eat twice as much during those shorter months and essentially starve the rest of the year. Sadly, starvation leads to desperation, such as climbing hillsides for birds, a sight never seen before, or hunting the dangerous walrus.

Funnily, Ice Bear comes across the same mother-cub family featured in 'To the Arctic' while on his exhausting quest for food, showing a bear desire and need for companionship. I like that during his journey we learn more of the damaging effects caused by climate change through his struggle to survival gruelingly long summers. At the same time, it's a message delivered to give us pause and think rather feeling like a pedagogical, guilt-inducing lesson. The most curious aspect of 'Polar Bears' is the mention of seeing these beautiful creatures used as tourist attractions, people coming close and personal with the animals because again, we are both fascinated and scared of them. But no matter our fascination, too many of us do little to save them; we will go out of our way to see them in person, yet don't bother to help in preserving their homes.

The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

Universal Studios Home Entertainment brings 'Polar Bears 3D: Ice Bear' to Blu-ray 3D inside an eco-elite case with a glossy slipcover. The Region Free, BD50 disc goes straight to an animated 3D menu screen where viewers can also choose a 2D version.