Video Reviews: 'March Of The Penguins,' More

'March of the Penguins' (G): Penguins have made a huge comeback on the big screen this year, thanks to the likes of the smarmy waddlers that made "Madagascar" such a hoot. But the biggest kudos for making the lovable creatures hip easily goes to the real things in "March of the Penguins."

Morgan Freeman lends a warm narrative track to the amazingly heartfelt documentary, which chronicles the yearly migration of penguins in Antarctica to find a mate. And while the 70-mile trek doesn't sound like a terribly long distance to travel, your perspective and respect for the creatures will change once you see how they walk (and sometimes belly-slide) the entire distance, only to withstand the most treacherous of conditions.

While it's rated G and fairly kid-friendly, parents be fair-warned that nature takes its course in sometimes cruel ways during the film, as offspring are lost to the cold or to predators, and parents fall victim while trying to retrieve food for their young. Fortunately the deaths are not graphic, but the implication of such is bound to sadden viewers young and old.

On the flipside, "Penguins" is an empowering movie given these creatures' unwavering resilience in defying the deadly temperatures in Antarctica. Look for this film to be among this year's Best Documentary Oscar nominees -- it's the second-highest grossing documentary of all-time and deserves all the success it's earned.

The DVD features include a "Crittercam: Emperor Penguins" featurette, which shows how cameras strapped to the back of penguins were vital in the filming the penguin's diving and feeding scenes. (Warner Home Video)

'Sky High' (PG): It's trailer makes it look like a rip-off of "Fantastic Four" and a number of other superhero movies -- but all-told, "Sky High" is an expertly-produced, highly entertaining family tale that is easily one of the year's biggest surprises.

Kurt Russell and Kelly Preston star as the Strongholds, a pair of superhero parents who send their son, Will (Michael Angarono), to "Sky High" -- a secret high school up in the clouds - to develop his superhero skills. The problem is, Will's skills haven't quite developed yet, and he's relegated as a "sidekick" at the school -- sort of second-class citizens to their superior classmates.

The film signals Russell's return to the family movie studio where he got his start, but that's not the only hook that makes "Sky High" an interesting movie. It's driven by a clever script and surprisingly impressive performances from a group of relatively unknown cast of teen actors. Bruce Campbell, Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald also appear in memorable supporting turns as a trio of "Sky High" instructors, and former "Wonder Woman" Lynda Carter looks as stunning as ever as Sky High's principal.

The DVD includes "Super Bloopers" as well as an alternate opening that's just as good -- if not better -- than the one the filmmakers decided to go with. It's easy to see why they didn't however: It would have totally ruined the film's twists at the end. (Walt Disney Home Entertainment)

Also New This Week:

'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' (PG-13): Viewers can finally judge for themselves whether there was any hint of romantic sparks between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in this film, which follows husband and wife under-cover assassins who have to fulfill contracts out on each other. Oddly enough, the film co-stars Vince Vaughn, who's been tabloid fodder for a rumored romance with Pitt's ex, Jennifer Aniston. (Fox Home Entertainment)

Also New:

'The Polar Express' (PG): Just in time for the holidays, the hit film version of the classic children's book "The Polar Express" rolls in on DVD -- and this is one ride you will not want to miss.

Filmed in a wondrous, groundbreaking motion-capture format, "The Polar Express" follows a young boy's journey to the North Pole just as his beliefs about Christmas" start to wane.

Tom Hanks reteams with his "Forrest Gump" director Robert Zemeckis to play the conductor and provide the motion capture moves for both the conductor, the boy, Santa Claus and other pivotal characters.

The film is not only an instant holiday classic, but further proof that the Zemeckis/Hanks team is among the most innovative filmmaking tandems in the business.

The 2-disc Widescreen DVD release features a never-before-seen Smokey and Steamer song; featurettes on Hanks' multiple looks in the film and a profile of book author Chris Van Allsburg. (Warner Home Video)

'War of the Worlds' (PG-13): You wouldn't have known it by his rants about Brooke Shields and his profession of love for fiancee Katie Holmes last summer -- but Tom Cruise did a remake of the H.G. Wells classic with master filmmaker Steven Spielberg. Cruise's antics aside, Spielberg once again proves that yet another of his movies is bigger than his star. (Dreamworks Home Entertainment)

'Madagascar' (PG): One of the year's best computer-animated films, "Madagascar" should find a good home among viewers because of it's delightful wit, vibrant colors and memorable pop culture references. The film follows Alex the Lion (voice of Ben Stiller), Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock), Melman the Giraffe (David Schwimmer) and Gloria the Hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith), four New York Central Zoo inhabitants who have been spoiled by their upbringing in captivity.

And while Marty enjoys the rock star-like following of his zoo patrons, Marty has grown restless of life behind fences. But thanks to a series of mishaps, Marty gets his wish and accidentally end up on a remote tropical island. Apart from being a raucous comedy, the film shares a fine lesson about the meaning of friendship. (Dreamworks Home Entertainment)

'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' (PG): Johnny Depp continues to amaze us with his seemingly boundless acting range with "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," Tim Burton's faithful adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic children's book.

Depp should earn an Oscar nomination playing Willy Wonka, an eccentric candymaker who reopens his once great chocolate factory to five children for a winner-take-all competition.

Freddie Highmore, Depp's co-star in "Finding Neverland," is terrific as the title character Charlie Bucket, and the ensemble of supporting players including Deep Roy as the Oompa Loompas all deliver memorable performances. Coated by wildly entertaining songs by longtime Burton collaborator Danny Elfman, "Charlie" is a delightful treat.

The 2-disc DVD version of "Charlie" includes multiple featurettes on how Roy was turned into multiple Oompa Loompas; how the film's squirrels were trained for the film, and goes in-depth into author Roald Dahl's amazing body of work. (Warner Home Video)