Polar Opposites

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 ...

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.

Hallmark does Antarctica. That must surely mean they have done a film on pretty much every continent on earth now, right?

"Polar Opposites" is good fun, with more ingenunity in the Plot Department than Hallmark movies are generally known for.

These on-location shoots always produce the best finished product, and the icy landscape made for a great backdrop to the film.

I admit I'm a sucker for Rhiannon Fish, and she's at her best here as Emma, opposite Markian Tarasiuk's Andy, sneaking aboard a vessel bound for Antarctica to rescue her father, who has suddenly lost communications.

I bet you can't guess what happens in the end between Emma and Andy? Good fun.

I wasn't feeling very hopeful about this film until they introduced the stranded penguin. The penguin's story and the beautiful scenery are what really makes this stand out. The plot itsself is quite pdestrian and follows the standard Hallmark formula. The main characters are likeable enough but the chemistry between them is OK. It's definitely not the kind of chemistry that would make one of them potentially sabotage their career in the process!

One minor thing that was annoying was the makeup! Subtlety is not a strength with whoever did the makeup - way too dark and harsh for the actors' features. It made them look very unnatural.

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.