Here's an article I wrote for The Hans India - a reputed daily in Telangana.
There is a certain genre of film that touches you in such an inimitable way, you never get over it. Action, of course, is an inseparable part, but we are referring to flicks that have impermeable jungles as the backdrop of their storyline. The charm of watching the green canopy festering with a mind-boggling variety of flora and fauna coupled with a tight script is indeed a visual treat for any audience.
The movie ‘Avatar’ is one classic example. Well, maybe the flora and fauna are a tad different but they hold the mystical allure of the jungle. In particular, Pandora Islands, the spectacular hanging mountains in midair, where the Na’vi tribe pick their rides, the flying dinosaurs to traverse the mysterious skies. The scene hasn’t failed to draw gasps of awe-inspiring wonder. In fact, the entire story draws its strength from the significance of preserving flora and fauna, which is distinctly dissimilar and intriguingly potent. Little wonder the audiences are enamoured with his beguiling flick.
A movie which has a similar compelling factor is: ‘Jurassic Park’, the island with its gorgeously rich bio-diversity of plant life, is cordoned off to breed dinosaurs. The dense jungles stand as a perfect dwelling spot for the creeping, flying and strutting dinosaurs to survive as well as to hunt prey. The underlying logic being: the greater the biodiversity of the flora, the greater the variety of pre-historic creatures. The fascination for the wild and its inhabitants though not in the face, projected in a fascinating light, are leverage points for the overall flick’s success.
‘Congo’ is another intriguing cinema, based on Michael Crichton’s book. The movie is all about relocating a lost ape back into the wild and about discovering the city of Zinj (King Solomon’s Mines) in the impenetrable jungles of Africa. An intelligent scientist is aided by a dashing young lady in the rescue and relocation of the ape. Right from the expedition team, which is hunted down by unknown creatures, to locating the city of Zinj which nestles secluded in the midst of a thick jungle, the movie is breathtakingly shot with its enchanting picturesque locations.
A flick that ranks no less in terms of its viewing quotient is ‘The Hunt for Blood Orchids’. The search for the elixir of youth takes a few scientists chartering into the mysterious and deadly jungles of Borneo. Blood Orchids are supposedly the secret to longevity of life. The anacondas’ prey, which consume these, indirectly aid in prolonging Anaconda’s life. The result, of course, is the reptile growing to 30 to 40 feet in length. The decisive fight to stay alive against these mammoth beings is what makes the movie a nail-biting finisher.
It’s always a treat to watch action thrillers against the backdrop of impermeable jungles. While these movies come as a breath of freshness, underscoring subtly the importance of keeping this world green, they also act as portals in transporting us to different worlds. The amazing directors, who capture life in its varying shades, undeniably deserve an applause.
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