Encounters at the End of the World

Filmmaker Werner Herzog’s first documentary since the masterful Grizzly Man, Encounters at the End of the World follows the acclaimed director as he heads to Antarctica – where he meets a variety of quirky scientists and films the admittedly impressive vistas of the continent. Encounters at the End of the World instantly establishes itself as a far more standard piece of work than Grizzly Man, as the film is generally lacking in the sort of poetic grace and engrossing nature of its predecessor. There’s little doubt that one’s appreciation for the movie is directly related to one’s fascination with Antarctica’s barren landscape, though it’s certainly worth noting that Herzog has effectively peppered the proceedings with a number of genuinely compelling moments and encounters. His expectedly light-hearted narration (ie he cuts off one long-winded subject by remarking that her “story goes on forever”) proves instrumental in holding the viewer’s interest even during some of the film’s less-than-enthralling moments, and there’s ultimately little doubt that Encounters at the End of the World deserves to be seen on as large a screen as possible. (Also worth noting: the story about a wayward penguin, which must be one of the most depressing moments in recent documentary history.)

*** out of ****