Movie Review: Pandas

Hi, readers!

The movie Pandas follows the incredible story of Qian Qian, a panda born in captivity, and its release into the wild. With the help of Chinese and American scientists, Qian Qian learns how to get in touch with her animal instincts. Along the way, awesome friendships are made, too. Check out the trailer and then read my review below!

I thought this movie was amazing! I really liked the scenes when Ben (the biologist who rehabilitates orphaned black bears in the U.S.) and Rong Hu (the scientist from Chengdu Panda Base in China) go into the forest in New Hampshire to meet the black bears he has helped. It was so heartwarming to see people who live at opposite ends of the world work together to help animals thrive. And of course, it was so adorable to see little pandas play! The movie captured panda cubs going down slides, climbing trees, wrestling and more. I fell in love with Qian Qian and her journey to find her wild side! Near the end, I was nervous for Qian Qian but all turns out well for the lovable panda. This movie is definitely a must-see for animal lovers.

I got the chance to speak to the co-director of Pandas, Drew Fellman, and asked him about his favourite parts of the movie. Read his answer below!

chickaDEE: What are your favourite moments in the movie Pandas?

Drew: I love all the little scenes with the pandas, but perhaps the black bears even more! We spent a lot of time with the black bear cubs and even got to bottle feed them. I also love the scenes with the people. There’s a scene with Jake [one of the American scientists] and a girl in the village, and she’s trying to give him a high five. It’s a light moment of life that shows how engrained these guys are in the community there. I also love the shot of Qian Qian when she climbs down the tree and Jake puts his raincoat around her.

Thanks for sharing, Drew!

Check out your local IMAX listings to see if Pandas is playing near you. In Toronto, you can catch it at the Ontario Science Centre now! If you see the movie, leave a comment below with your thoughts!

Bye for now,

-Mandy, chickadeeblog@owlkids.com

Happy International Panda Day!

Hey readers,

Aren’t pandas the best? It’s no wonder these cute and cuddly fluff balls have a day dedicated to them! And just to crank up the panda-monium even more, a new movie called PANDAS is releasing in select theatres starting on April 6^th. Great timing!

Check out the trailer below for a sneak peek.

Speaking of sneak peek … keep those eyes peeled, panda fans. We have a brand new (and beary exciting) contest coming to the Owlkids website soon! Be sure to check out www.owlkids.com/contests on March 19^th to see what we’re hinting at.

Bye for now!

-Melissa, chickadeeblog@owlkids.com

Movie News: Island of Lemurs: Madagascar

A ring-tailed Lemur in its home in Madagascar.

Did you know that lemurs are the oldest living primate on Earth? I just found out this amazing fact when I visited the Ontario Science Centre earlier this week to watch the new documentary, Island of Lemurs: Madagascar.

I also got to meet a ring-tailed lemur named Stewie!

Stewie the ring-tailed lemur enjoying a dandelion snack at the Ontario Science Centre.

Island of Lemurs: Madagascar taught me a ton about this extraordinary creature and the island it calls home. Sadly, lemurs are highly endangered, but a team of scientists led by Dr. Patricia Wright are working to help save them. This movie follows their journey.

Island of Lemurs: Madagascar opens at the Ontario Science Centre’s OMNIMAX Theatre today. If you get a chance to see it, come back and tell us what you think!

-Kendra, owlblog@owlkids.com

Movie News: Great White Shark

You may not know this about me, but I love sharks (well, love and fear them). So when I got the chance to go see the movie Great White Shark at the Ontario Science Centre’s OMNIMAX Theatre last week, I jumped at it!

First of all, this theatre has a giant dome screen that is 4,500 times bigger than an average TV screen with 44 speakers blasting 13,000 watts of sound. Imagine watching a great white shark swim in front of you on a screen like that! Watch the trailer below and try.

But aside from being big, bold, and just generally awesome, this documentary is also important and interesting. Many of us fear great white sharks because we imagine that they are monsters. But this documentary takes a closer look at the species, and the myths that surround them, to show us that sharks are so much more.

If you get a chance to see this film, I recommend that you do.

What about you? Do you love or fear sharks?

-Kendra, owlblog@owlkids.com