Dramatic portions of the Earth's coral reefs have been dying off. The filmmakers set out to observe and document this trend as well as the thriving reefs in hopes of uncovering sources of the decay and solutions to it. The film favors the scientific over the spectacular (visually speaking); still, the methods and logical arguments don't always seem so scientific. Global warming, over fishing, and logging are some complications found to overtake the reefs. But viewers may want to know just what percent of the decayed areas were aggravated by man, and what percent by nature. The film calls on viewers to do their part to help, but without specific information like this, they may remain unmotivated.

At my particular screening of this film at the 2003 LFCA, the audio track muddled in an over amplified bass. At times the score and narration deconstructed themselves in indistinguishable bass tones. And though a big fan of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, their music here is somewhat shy of an organic mix.

That said, the film hosts some great map graphics and a splendidly compelling sequence in which a marine-biologist opens her mouth wide to a sea creature in the habit of cleaning the teeth of larger fish. The shrimp-like animal clicks and steps inside her mouth. Fantastic!