Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
Narrated by Golden Globe winner, Donald Sutherland, this is the incredible story of Ailo, the little reindeer. This uplifting tale follows the journey of baby Ailo as he navigates his first year of life in the snowy landscapes of a picturesque Lapland. Frail and vulnerable, Ailo must learn to walk, run, leap and hide to ensure he survives the long, treacherous journey with the herd. Ailo’s Journey is an inspirational story, in which a bleak wilderness is warmed by a mother’s endless love as she watches over Ailo in his incredible adventures with other creatures of the Arctic.
A Reindeer's Journey follows the well-worn nature documentary formula of following a single young animal through its first year, offering little narrative surprise. Donald Sutherland's narration elevates the presentation above average for the genre. The cinematography is genuinely exceptional, capturing the sweeping Lapland wilderness and intimate animal moments with stunning clarity and beauty. The story arc is predictable and derivative of many wildlife documentaries, keeping novelty low. The ending, while heartwarming, is telegraphed from the start.