REVIEW: Blue is a documentary rushing to the defence of our oceans before it is too late

REVIEW: The eco-motivational Australian documentary Blue is sounding the alarm for our oceans, which have just about had their fill of us.

THE eco-motivational Australian documentary Blue is sounding the alarm on behalf of the world’s oceans, which have just about had their fill of the many mistreatments of mankind.

While beautifully shot and edited, the film trades in some ugly inconvenient truths about the sustained abuse of the marine kingdom.

Divers encounter sharks in a scene from Australian documentary film Blue, about the perilous state of our oceans

So anyone expecting a feel-good gawk at the tranquillity of ocean life above and below the waves is going to be in for a mighty shock (and will also lose interest quickly here).

However, those willing to answer watery wake-up calls about the persistent overfishing, polluting and unintentional reconfiguring of our oceans will appreciate the urgency of the overall message.

Director Karina Holden has erred slightly in sharing narration/guide duties across too wide an array of scientists, activists and environmental crusaders.

Not all have the presence required for a film of such thematic importance. Some also get a bit too preachy with their generalised commentary when a few more hard facts would have come in handy.

Beautiful creatures such as sea lions are copping the worst of it from commercial fishers not abiding by the rules.

However, when Holden chooses to let the pictures do the talking, the gravity of the ever-worsening situations in our seas hits home with unmistakeable and lasting impact.

BLUE (PG)

Rating: three stars (3 out of 5)

Director: Karina Holden (documentary debut)

Crying out for water