Customer Reviews

Microcosmos

5 star:		(80)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have never been particularly interested in bugs. In fact, I have in most cases viewed them with a mixture of disgust, disinterest or (in the case of flies and mosquitoes, particularly) loathing. After watching this film, I want to become an amateur entomologist. It really is that revelatory and inspiring.

A team of Swiss, Italian and French cinematographers and naturalists take us to a lush meadow in the south of France and reveal, through microphotography, the unseen (or at least, generally unnoticed) inhabitants at work and play there.

This is nature documentary at its finest. Insects that we all take for granted are displayed close-up, and are revealed to be perfect in their symmetry of form, their coloration, their awesome design. It does give one a renewed sense of appreciation for creation in all its myriad forms: nature is diverse and abundantly versatile.

The film's creators, by supplying a sometimes playful, sometimes dramatic, soundtrack, add to the anthropomorphic qualities of the micro vignettes. For instance, the long, languid scene depicting snails mating is accompanied by a Puccini aria. Though this may sound trite (how many Puccini arias have been overused in recent years?), even loathsome, if one had the opinion of snails as slimy, ugly creatures that I had, it is instead one of the most beautiful, and dare I say, sensuous, scenes I`ve ever witnessed. Instead of noxious looking, the snails are beautiful, their intricately shaded and colored shells gleaming , as they engage in a pas-de-deux that would put Nureyev and Fonteyne to shame.

Also especially memorable is the segment involving a dung beetle, doggedly engaged in rolling a ball of dung up a slope of gravel. As he plods on, one can't help but admire his determination and his fortitude. He is a miniature Sisyphus, engaged in an eternal struggle in his uphill battle for survival. The ball of dung (about five times his size) becomes stuck on a sharp shoot sticking up out of the ground. He doesn't know why the ball won't move, yet he doesn't give up. He rolls and prods and shoves until finally he goes over to the side on which the ball is stuck and succeeds in removing it. Nature rewards perseverance. Actually, this could be thought of as one of the themes of the movie. All of these Hymenoptera, Neuropterans, and Heptira, etc., are hard workers, ceaselessly engaged in what they were put on earth to do.

Even the most detested of insects, the mosquito, is shown to be a part of the grand design at the conclusion of the film. In one of the marvelous time-lapse birth sequences that are a thread in the movie, a mosquito is shown forming from its larval stage on the surface of a pond. The viewer is not sure exactly what sort of creature it is until it finally flies off and we hear its all-too-familiar buzzing.

One way of thinking of this film is that it is the Cirque de Soleil of nature documentaries. The same sort of outside the box creativity went into this production. It's magnificent in every respect and should be seen and appreciated by viewers of all ages.

If this does not inspire or fascinate people interested in nature, I do not know what will.

This film depicts the activities of an outwardly quiet and calm meadow and following a brief narrative, zooms in on a scale that captures insects at their active best over the entire day and hence the title "Microcosmos". The makers of the film let the pictures speak for themselves and provide no narrative.

This is the perfect film for people to show to school level children. Although some have commented that the weakness of the film is the fact that it has no narrative, I personally feel this the strength of the film. So many of the natural history films try and provide so much information about the visuals that the viewer is unable to bask in the beauty of the image. It is often quite easy to interpret the visuals if it is striking and vivid as is the case with this film.

The reason why I believe it is ideal for school children is that it is bound to kindle their curiosity and once this is achieved at least some of them will be inclined to pursue "what is going on" and "why is it going on" questions. Nature videos with narratives may provide valuable information, but their ability to inspire the spirit of enquiry is often suspect. The fact that this film does not plant any preconceptions renders it an invaluable tool in teaching.

This is not to say that university level students or academics or the lay person will not enjoy it. It's educational value may be less for this audience, but it will certainly fascinate anyone interested in natural history.

I read so much about Microcosmos in Amazon reviews that I just had to get a copy and see it for myself. It's incredible! Count me among those who say, "how did they do that?"
As a newly-hatched insect fan, I was delighted and stunned by the spectacular photography, the moments of comedy (caterpillar traffic jam, ladybug getting bounced off the leaf), the sheer beauty of the material, and the way the cinematographers were able to catch things from the insect's point of view. I also appreciated the lack of the typical nature-film voiceovers; the producers had the good sense to let the images, music and sound effects carry the film on their own.

Don't miss this one, whether you love or hate insects. It's a revelation.

I rented this video, because I had heard lots of good things about it. However, it was with the assumption that I was not going to sit in front of the TV for the duration of the film, but rather, that I would play the video while going about my business at home, and check to see what was on the screen from time to time. Much to my surprise, I found myself stopping in front of the TV, unable to pull myself away, especially when I witnessed what looked like a black beetle, as he vigorously strove to move a rock to an obviously desired location (perhaps his "home"?). I was in awe of his determination, as each time the rock would rock backwards, he would start all over again, and kept at it, until he got the rock to where he wanted it. I was also amazed at the way the film was able to depict the beauty of insects, many of which I would consider "yucky" in the real world. I always knew that insects were amazing, and that ants in particular were highly organized, but I don't think I'll ever look at insects quite the same way again!

This movie should be packed onto the space shuttle with the other evidences of life on earth for the rest of intelligent life in the universe to see. So many reviewers here say how wonderful this film is for children. Well during my 50th birthday party someone put it on the TV in the guest bedroom, and all 30 or 40 guests (none of them children) ended up in there, mesmerized, laughing with delight. This is not Disney pablum, this is real life. Buy this movie, keep it in a safe place, enjoy it forever.

This is a mesmerizing look into the life of insects, with "real time" photography as well as slow motion and time lapse sequences. It also shows the predators who live off them, like the frogs, and the pheasant who gobbles up ants; flowers and how their life cycle is interconnected with the insects that pollinate them, as well as the carnivorous Drosera, as it devours a wasp-like creature.
There is even a portion in the night, with the nocturnal activity seen in the glimmer of moonlight, and also a marvelous rainstorm, with close-ups of the droplets falling.
The two most memorable scenes are the snails who mate with grace and abandon, and seem to become "one flesh", and the horned beetles in a battle that shows incredible violence and tenacity; both these segments seem to reflect "human" qualities, and fill the mind with wonder.

There is a beautifully written but short introduction and epilogue, read by Kristin Scott Thomas, and a score by Bruno Coulais, which consists mostly of vocal music, sung by mezzo Mari Kobayashi, and the charming young voices of Hugo and Louis Coulais; much of the film is in silence however, with just the sound of the insects.
A visual feast that is the creation of the Claude Nuridsany and Marie Perennou, who share credits as director/writer/cinematographer, and additional cinematography was done by Thierry Machado and Hugues Ruffel.
Total running time is 80 minutes, and you will never look at a lowly snail in the same way again.

This Movie is the kind of movie that will blow you away especially if you are a Discovery channel fan and a home theater fan. The sights & sounds in this movie are truly amazing! I have never seen a documentary on insects this well done.
The movie is originally in french, but it was theatrically released in the U.S. to very favorable reviews. It starts off as if you are in a dream and then allows you to enter into the world of insects...like no other movie ever...
The camera work puts you on the same level as the insects because it really gets close up with spectacular detail...The 5.1 soundtrack might be one of the best soundtracks I have ever heard, it has crisp clean detail and powerful bass...I really recommend this Dvd. Ever since I bought the laserdisc years ago I have been a big fan of this documentary. I've been waiting for this Dvd since the format was introduced, it is long overdue!!!

...NO rating for narration. (see why, below)

I purchased "Microcosmos" on the advice of a good friend whose opinion I value a great deal. Unable to find it anywhere to rent, I decided that it was probably worth the money... and the worst-case scenario would be that I would donate it after watching it to the local library.

I'm keeping it. The videography is absolutely STUNNING, and the subject matter is fascinating. It's rather ironic, actually. Forty years ago, the best "Star Trek" could muster was some pointy rubber ears to denote an alien... when in reality, the diversity of form of creatures under our very feet makes the concept of a "true" alien having no discernable difference from us other than pointy ears rather laughable. ***

In fact, some of the living, breathing creatures that walk, crawl, fly over, and skitter in the waters around us... would seem absurd if they were depicted as aliens in a science fiction film. Reality really is stranger than fiction.

As for the narration in "Microcosmos" it is all but absent. There are two brief interludes where a female narrator says perhaps 20 words... and frankly, she is describing something self evident (along the lines of: "...another day begins...")

While the film stands on its own WITHOUT a narrative, and I personally knew enough about insects to (mostly) know what was going on, I think it's unfortunate that some form of narrative is not available... even optionally as "bonus" material.

For someone who DOESN'T know much, if anything about the insect world, "Microcosmos" won't teach them a thing. They might find it beautiful and intriguing, but they won't learn anything.

*** Before some Trekkie gets really upset with me, I DO understand that part of their rationale was financial. They didn't have enough MONEY to make really interesting aliens!

- Jonathan Sabin

The name itself is quite an oxymoron mostly because there is nothing micro about this grand, high quality movie. There are no actors and special effect as nature takes front stage and manages to impress, captivate and astound the viewer. There is very little talking involved as Kristin Scott Thomas narrates quickly in the beginning and lets the music takes over to the beat of the Earth itself.

From the beginning I was transported back to the meadows of Poland where I spent many happy warm childhood days on my grandparent's farm in the summer. The red poppies, filed flowers, birds and animals were both familiar and foreign at the same time. The incredibly detailed close-ups and ultra sharp picture quality made every grass strand sway and dance in the wind, each water droplet glisten, each feather, tentacle and grain of sand was in high display as if in a museum for everyone to admire.

The day in the life of a bug on a French meadow, in the ponds and sandy plateaus was incredible to watch. The struggles for survival and their daily grind was shown in a rather beautiful light with pleasurable disposition. I felt an intimate connection with Mother Nature as I got a glimpse of uninterrupted life of the many beautiful and complex creatures that cover out planet and form such a huge part of the eco system. Their life and death goes unnoticed yet their vital role is really wonderfully portrayed in Microcosmos with careful and painstakingly filmed moments which reveal so much in depth information that it can be mind boggling at times. These tiny titans live and fight, love and reproduce even when some of those insects only have a twenty four hour life span they still make the most of it. I love the snails; ants, salamanders; even the scary spiders and beetles, ladybugs, millipedes and dozens of other mini masters of our planet roam around and live almost unnoticed right under our noses.

I was looking for the book, Microcosmos, by Lynn Margulis and Dorion Sagan and found this movie by accident. However, being interested in biology, I read the reviews and gave it a go. I was not disappointed. This movie is everything the description and reviews says it is. You will like it most for the incredible close-ups of the "smaller majority". Insects by far outnumber every other living thing in our world, yet we hardly notice them and take them for granted. This movie will show you THEIR world and all the amazing forms "bugs" take.

There are mating scenes, fighting scenes, and everything in between. All is suitable for kids and adults of all ages. I found the very best part was when watching it with my 6 and 3 year old sons, they asked lots of great questions and it gave me the opportunity to explain all sorts of important concepts like ecology, predatory-prey relationship, etc. Of course, how do you not smile watching a dung beetle and talking about an animal that eats "poo-poo".

I think the most important concept communicated is the one of relativity - the movie shows you that the world really looks different through other creature's eyes. A great example of this was a series of scenes that showed a rainstorm; first, as a human would see it (with the camera zoomed out) and then close up. You see a ladybug launched off a leaf after just one raindrop hit the leaf; you see a grasshopper struggling through a "raging river"; and you see raindrops hit the ground like artillery fire.

A truly amazing movie. But don't take my word for it - my kids watched it twice in one sitting - voluntarily!