MARCH OF THE PENGUINS (National Geographic Feature Films/Warner Independent Pictures, 2005)

Directed by Luc Jacquet; written by Luc Jacquet, Michel Fessler, and Jordan Roberts; 80 minutes; documentary; MPAA rating: G (all ages).

This fascinating documentary about emperor penguins in Antarctica, narrated by Morgan Freeman, tells of how they travel 70 miles, by foot or by belly, each year from the ocean to breed in a special area that's protected somewhat from harsh winds by high ice walls and has ice thick enough beneath the penguins' feet that it never melts or cracks all year round. After the penguins mate and the female gives birth, the male takes responsibility for keeping the egg safe and warm while the female travels 70 miles back to the ocean to feed herself—she hasn't eaten in two months by this point—and gather enough food in her stomach so she can feed her baby when she returns.

Spellbinding cinematography drives home the sensation that March of the Penguins is showing the viewer something truly unique. Antarctica looks breathtaking, as in "Its natural beauty will take your breath away" and "It's so cold you'll stop breathing." Some tween viewers may be wary of watching documentaries on nature at this stage in their lives, but they'll warm up (no pun intended) to this one once they see the penguins on their march, waddling back and forth. Plus, baby penguins are mighty cute.

For further viewing, check out Happy Feet (2006), an animated song-and-dance story about penguins.