Microcosmos (1996)
9/10
Spiders & Beetles & Snails....Oh MY!!!
30 October 2002
This one has it all! It's a Comedy, Action, Romance, Adventure,

Horror, Drama, Musical, and even has a little Porn thrown in for

good measure (insect and mollusc porn that is)! Beautifully shot

almost completely in extreme close-ups, MicroCosmos takes us

through "a day in the life" of the small inhabitants of an anywhere- on-Earth grassy meadow (although some of the film was clearly

shot in a studio environment).

This is one of the few films I can watch over and over again due to

the mesmerising nature of the subjects, whether they are insects,

molluscs, arachnids, amphibians, birds, or even plant-life; every

aspect of their existence and interaction is utterly engrossing! (Pun

intended.) The cinematography is quite possibly the BEST I've ever

seen, and between 2 years of equipment design and 3 years of

shooting (not to mention 15 years of research!), I suppose that

perfection is the natural outcome.

One aspect I found deliciously refreshing is the lack of narration,

and sometimes sparse musical soundtrack. Whereas most

documentaries saturate the viewer with facts, names and near

step-for-step action guides, this one just lets you WATCH; the

result being that you feel like that curious viewer in a meadow of

your childhood once again. Magic exists once again! My only

minor complaint is that I'd have liked it to have been longer.

9/10. Truly makes you marvel at the diversity and WONDER of

Nature!
1 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed