Virunga (2014)

This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Good movie but grossly overrated

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

An immensely moving and thought provoking documentary about a subject that I would understand not many know about, Oscar nominated, Leonardo DiCaprio produced Virunga is a must see film for not only fans of documentary films but the general public and is an incredible examination of the human spirit and those dedicated to making the world a better place.England based filmmaker Orlando von Einsiedel holds back no punches in this Netflix backed looked at the Virunga National Park deep in the wilds of the Congo and the many battles it faces from illegal animal poachers, greedy oil company's and a country with a long and sad history of violent civil wars. Einsiedel and his team of cameraman over a period of years nestled in deep with the men and women dedicated to the cause of preserving this majestic park range and the many animals it harbors, including the dangerously low in numbers Mountain Gorillas, and the film we the viewer get to witness offers us an up close and personal look at wide variety of situations, many of which were clearly dangerous for those on the ground.The landscape surrounding the naturally beautiful space of Virunga is fraught with danger and as Einsiedel's film progresses an appreciation for what troubles plaguing this region become more and more apparent, and the people who operate within these confines become more and more heroic. The humans are the stars here in Einsiedel's tale, from gorilla orphan caretaker Andre Bauma, Belgium prince Emmanuel de Merode operating as the park ranger leader, young reporter Melanie Gouby and one time soldier turned ranger Rodrigue Katembo, Einsiedel captures not only stunningly magnificent scenery and animal footage, but documents of incredible human beings, the type that in amongst a wealth of evil, corrupt cohabitants, shine a light on the good that can be achieved with a kind and loving heart.Virunga is a gut punch of movie, whether it be its documents of civil war, the sadness of animal poaching or the stand out examples of the human spirit, there's a wealth of material here that makes this film one of the year's best. Fantastically captured by Einsiedel and his team, Virunga is also one of the year's most visually unique and whilst it may not be easy viewing, Virunga remains compulsory viewing for anyone and everyone that cares for the world we live in today.5 cans of Pringles out of 5

This salient ant-war, anti-business exploration, pro-conservation documentary touched me and made me feel something special. It effortlessly brings us in and causes us to care for the workers of this national park and their deep mission to preserve it at all costs. And it also makes it indisputable that what they are doing is right for such a beautiful park. War is a terrible thing when in the face of such majesty. This movie is gorgeously shot and wonderfully paced.It becomes obvious how right the mission of the main characters in the movie is. Everyone so bravely fights for this park and does whatever they can to expose corrupt business and government officials who seek to undermine it for their own benefit. The terrible consequences of war in this often unstable region on thousands of citizens is also unflinchingly portrayed. Finally, you get an intimate portrayal of the gorillas our protagonists so bravely protect with their lives, if need be. It was simply amazing, which makes this film a must see.

Netflix seems to be reliably getting their documentaries nominated for Oscars as of late, and with its intriguing topic Virunga looked like a film with a lot of potential. It starts off great, really passionate and gripping about the injustices in its titular location. Then it moves onto something else, then something else, and more, and it keeps going until the connection between all these things feel all the more tenuous. That's the crux of Virunga, the direction lacks any form of restraint. It has the passion and it is interesting, but it too often opts for the most sentimental choice and it comes off as utterly contrived. All of its excitement feels so perfectly timed and formed that it comes off as orchestrated. To its credit, it is beautifully shot, though it often feels like an extract of Planet Earth rather than having its own identity. Not to belittle its cause, Virunga needed more time in the editing room to feel less cheap and sloppy. 6/10

Virunga is a stunning film, part nature documentary, and part gritty exposé of the realities of life on the ground in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country that has been torn apart by conflict for thirty years.Director Orlando von Einsiedel does an incredible job at telling a complex story - documenting the beauty and remarkable vitality of Virunga National Park, alongside a developing story of corruption and greed, as it is revealed that a British oil company, Soco International, has been exploring for oil with the park's boundaries.The film features remarkable characters, from the gentle and fatherly gorilla carer Andre Bauma, through to the fearless French journalist Melanie Gouby, alongside the remarkable rangers who put their lives on to protect Congo's natural heritage.To make this film even more engaging, the issues at its heart are still very much relevant, and even though oil company Soco agreed in June 2014 to halt exploration the park, the fight is still not over. I urge you to watch this film, and educate yourself on its surrounding campaign. This is not a story which should be forgotten.