If you like documentaries, nature, Sea Turtles, or anything to do with the ocean, you’ll want to watch Turtle Odyssey: Bunji’s Big Adventure. The documentary is beautifully shot and offers easy-to-understand information from clear graphics and strong narration provided by Russell Crowe.
What do we really know about Sea Turtles? Turtle Odyssey: Bunji’s Big Adventure asks this very question and explores the answers by studying the life of Bunji, an Australian Green Sea Turtle. The documentary takes viewers quite literally on Bunji’s big adventure from being one of hundreds of hatchlings to a “teenage” turtle and finally to her adulthood where she is expected to start the cycle all over again.
Here’s a look at the official description – “Sea Turtles are some of the most majestic and ancient creatures on Earth. For over 100 million years, they have traversed the seas, surviving multiple mass extinctions and playing critical roles in maintaining a healthy, marine food chain. Not only do these friendly animals captivate us as they peacefully glide through the ocean, but their personal journeys of survival are equally fascinating.
Turtle Odyssey explores the unique lifecycle of an Australian Sea Turtle named Bunji and her incredible journey across the ocean. The film follows Bunji from a hatchling into adulthood as she swims thousands of miles, meeting incredible creatures and having some truly wild encounters.” – SK Films and Definition Films
Released for select IMAX theaters, Turtle Odyssey makes use of beautiful, high definition camera shots that bring the ocean and its many inhabitants to life on the screen. If you are a fan of nature documentaries, Sea Turtles, or anything to do with marine life, this is one you won’t want to miss!
Narrated by New Zealand-native Russell Crowe, Turtle Odyssey: Bunji’s Big Adventure runs 41 minutes.
Just a note for those concerned – Turtle Odyssey is a family film. Despite the frequent danger she faces, Bunji’s story is never too dark or unpleasant. The ending should leave viewers of all ages happy!
The documentary begins with baby Bunji at her birth. Bunji, whose name is an indigenous Austrailian word for “friend,” is one of around 100 hatchlings born along the beach. Like every Green Sea Turtle born off Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, she is in immediate danger as she struggles to make her first trek from her shell to the ocean.
This isn’t uncommon. Sea Turtles, viewers learn, face daily threats to their survival. Viewers are told that not all of Bunji’s siblings will survive that first journey to the ocean, and even fewer will live long enough to reach adulthood. If Bunji is successful in staying safe, she could live to be over 100 years old.
Given that Bunji is at the center of this documentary, it’s safe to assume that she makes it to the ocean to continue her journey. But there are a few tense moments when things don’t look good for her! On the flip side, there are also some humorous and beautiful moments woven into Bunji’s trip.
After she makes it to the ocean to begin her journey, the documentary follows Bunji across hundreds of miles. Eventually, a now-teenage Bunji explores a lagoon with a biodiverse ecosystem and marine life straight out of Finding Nemo. The narrative continues until an adult Bunji concludes the journey and starts the Sea Turtle life cycle over for a new generation.
Information –
The documentary is full of information on the life cycle of Bunji and every other Sea Turtle. At times, this information is presented in clear, easy-to-read graphics and illustrations. Analogies, such as comparing the distance of Bunji’s trip to the distance from Earth to the Moon, help to introduce concepts and simplify information.
Though Sea Turtles are the focus of the program, other marine life is also introduced. Viewers will learn how Sea Turtles work with humpback whales and sea cows and which species live on the backs of Sea Turtles in a symbiotic relationship. Turtles are essential to the ocean’s ecosystem. But not all species are friendly. A Sea Turtle faces danger from birds, crabs, sharks, and many more throughout its life time.
In addition to these constant threats, the documentary spends time explaining the biggest danger that Sea Turtles face: humans. Turtles can be injured by boats, and pollution is a leading cause in the declining number of Sea Turtles found in the ocean today. Check out the special feature interview with Dr. Ian Bell to learn more about the human-imposed dangers to Sea Turtles and other marine life.
Visuals –
Turtle Odyssey was made for an IMAX release, and it works well. Each shot is smooth and carries viewers along on Bunji’s journey. Set primarily off Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the documentary is visually colorful, clear, and detailed – elements that are only enhanced by the HDR quality. Bunji’s time in the lagoon is the strongest example of the documentary’s color and variety of marine life. Every creature above and below the sea is unique and sharp. Simply put, this is a visually pretty and captivating documentary.
Audio –
The documentary makes excellent use of music to match the tone and energy of each scene. When Bunji is at peace, the music is tranquil and calm, but as soon as Bunji is threatened, the music rises to match it. Russell Crowe’s narration takes on a similar effect. Though the focus is always on Bunji and her surroundings, the tone of the narration helps to provide context and express some of the danger that Bunji faces. Crowe does an excellent job here. While his narration is slightly overpowered by the music in a few instances, the documentary overall offers a nice balance of sound, music, and narration to accompany Bunji on her journey.
Special Features –
- Interview with Dr. Ian Bell, Senior Conservation Officer (13:09) – Dr. Bell, featured in the documentary, works in the Threatened Species Unit and discusses his work tracking, studying, and saving Sea Turtles.
Takeaway –
If you like documentaries, nature, Sea Turtles, or anything to do with the ocean, you’ll want to watch Turtle Odyssey: Bunji’s Big Adventure. The documentary is beautifully shot and offers easy-to-understand information from clear graphics and strong narration provided by Russell Crowe. Despite the many dangers Bunji faces, the documentary keeps everything light and family-friendly. Audiences of all ages are sure to learn something new.
