Polar Opposites

Love when Hallmark leaves Canada to film on location-this time to Patagonia and Ushuaia, Argentina-the gateway city to Antarctica. The cruise and location footage was exceptional.

I won't go into detail about the movie since the first reviewer here(Fire And Ice) did such an excellent job but I will say I stayed with the movie till the end because of the strong cast and interesting chemistry between the two leads, Rhiannon Fish and Markian Tarasuik. There was an ease between them that sold the developing relationship and storyline-farfetched at times.

So I give Polar Opposites a 7 for the lead actors, the scenery and of course, the penguins.

Emma (Rhiannon Fish) gets a call from her father which gets cut off. He is doing penguin research in Antarctica. She is afraid that he's in trouble and desperate to find him. Antarctica requires an official permit which she does not have. She becomes a stowaway and Andy (Markian Tarasiuk) is the leader of the scientific team on the ship.

At least, they got to Argentina. I really wish that they actually went to Antarctica to get a few scenes with the penguins. That is probably asking for too much. They are using zoo penguins, special effects, and stock footage to do the animal scenes. Emma is a bit much. Maybe she should be a heart doctor which would make getting to her father more reasonable. It's a little silly that she's an illustrator. She has no qualification to do anything.

This Hallmark story has an endearing cast and features some wonderful photography of South America, sometimes standing in for Antarctica.

Emma (Rhiannon Fish) is an illustrator whose father studies penguins in Antarctica. When he calls her about an emergency, their connection is terminated, so she becomes worried. She immediately hops a plane and tries to find a boat ride into the southern waters. Along the way, she meets an engineer named Andy (Markian Tarasiuk) who is on a mission to the southernmost continent.

The always-wonderful Ms. Fish is surrounded by a strong cast. The story is about more than romancing, and the narrative feels like a real adventure. The most surprising thing about the film is how they managed to capture the story, including animal behaviors, beautiful scenery, and some effects that feel totally natural. It must have been an experience to film.

7.7 stars.

Not necessarily a film I would recommend for multiple viewings, but definitely one you must see once every 5-10 years.

Personally, I really enjoyed it. I like both of the lead actors; they give us their usual quality, and it was entertaining. The adventure is fulfilling as well. The romance is a slow burn, but sometimes it will suffice, as it does in this instance. Would have preferred a bit more of the romantic fire, but there is enough to keep us afloat, so to speak.

The plot is about a woman who is a stowaway on a cruise ship on its way to Antarctica. She is headed there because she is under the impression that her father is in trouble, possibly in danger. He is a scientist who studies penguins.

She meets an engineer on the ship who helps keep her hidden. They have an adventure on the journey, evading the crew. She eventually helps her dad and some penguins.

This movie is the full package, but you must love the lead actors, else you may be disappointed. I love Miss Fish, never been disappointed with any of her performances. She single-handedly elevates everything she does. I feel this would be a 6.7 if not for her presence.

We're supposed to believe this woman 1) gets on a ship; 2) doesn't get caught for 8 days; 3) gets on the Antarctica research base - no questions asked; 4) goes off on her own to find her dad; 5) researcher helps her with all this. I mean ... most Hallmark movies are a "fairy tale" but this one is utterly ridiculous. Come on Hallmark - stop treating us like we're stupid. AND she's walking around in just earmuffs? Please stop making movies that insult our intelligence. I have a couple of friends who actually were stationed in the Antarctica. The Hallmark depiction is just plain stupid. From the internet: "To go outside in Antarctica, you must wear multiple layers of specialized clothing designed for extreme cold, including waterproof outerwear, thermal base layers, and protective gear like gloves, hats, and goggles, and always go with a partner, following safety protocols like checking in with the station before leaving and carrying a radio, as the harsh conditions pose a high risk of frostbite and hypothermia if not properly prepared."

I hope these people aren't dead ... because they certainly should be based on Hallmark ...