EssenceStory Well Deserved Praise

Comwayon A Disappointing Continuation

filippaberry84 I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Benas Mcloughlin Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

Tim Kidner I viewed Beyond The Pole as a comedy first and ecological message second. Starting off with an idealogical dream, out two intrepid heroes (Steve Mangham and Rhys Thomas, both displaying flair for comedy) come up with an idea of combining a dream to reach the north Pole with getting into the Guinness Book of Records. They're going as the first non-supported, carbon-free and vegetarian team.After selling flats and leaving a pregnant wife, the duo get to the Arctic (a beautifully dramatic landscape, filmed in Greenland) and correspond with home, via an amusing and always eating Mark Benton, whom, along with Rhys' wife, talk to them via satellite from a caravan in the middle of a field. Mangham's wife, meanwhile, jollies it up in the south of France with his old school-pal.Back in Greenland, the team's cameraman shoots an inquisitive polar bear and things start to fall apart and frictions arise between the two pals. Hot on the their trail are an organised and professional Norwegian team, competing under the same rules. When they catch up with our motley duo, they find that out that they happen to be a gay couple. Or were. A couple, that is. It's fresh and breezy, but never THAT funny and I found some of the relationship bickering a bit trying though overall, a fair stab at something a bit different and ultimately quite enjoyable.

razorsharp2505-1 The premise for this movie sounded like it could be fun if done well: a mockumentary based on an eco-friendly vegetarian expedition to the North pole by two best friends with no experience whatsoever of what was about to come. What a shame that it fell flat on both the comedy and drama front.Neither of the two lead characters were particularly likable - one an egotistical ego-enthusiast, the other his cheerful but brainless best friend. When inevitable misfortunes hit them, it was hard to feel much sympathy given how under-prepared and arrogant they were. That of course was supposed to be part of the comedy but it just didn't get there. I've given this movie 4/10 based on the fact that I stuck with it to the end and it wasn't so bad I'd tell people not to watch it themselves. There are, however, far better movies out there to spend your time and money on. Or be eco-friendly and stay home with the power off for 1.5 hours instead!

lookingfortrouble I had NOT heard a thing about this film and I nearly didn't go in because of the poster but some friends of ours had told us under NO circumstances to miss it because they'd gone in and seen it when some film or other was sold out and were so glad they did! BTW I hated the poster - something to do with reminding me of Dumb and Dumber - but our friends had sworn by it and we went in. We LOVED it! Really funny,really touching in places, great drama, language that was fruitier than your mother might approve of (if you see where I'm going with this!) and really a wonderful story of two friends who try to do their best and just frankly, get a bit out of their depth! Rhys Thomas (who I had not heard of) and Stephen Mangan (who is a genius) are so good in this I hope they do lots more together because they seemed born to play opposite each other. Quite a double act! And Alexander Skarsgard, who I recognised but couldn't place is apparently a huge star in True Blood (which I haven't seen) but I have to take my hat off to him. He was HILARIOUS. Really, go see this movie. It's not a Hollywood blockbuster but when was the last great comedy that came out of that place?! Really, do yourself a favour, go see this and then tell me how great a night you had!

Stephen Davies The climate-change camp of environmentalists have over the last few decades moved from hippies in trees to suits in boardrooms, from Greenpeace ships to parliament and from chaining themselves to construction site fencing to highly paid city-based consultants. Some would argue a long-oppressed and "inconvenient" movement has now swung right through the centre ground, and like many oppressed but important issues, now gone too far, and there is a need for amending the balance.Enter "Beyond the Pole". While not losing sight - or in my view trying to criticise or offend the climate debate - this film is an hilarious look at where idealism simply goes too far. In a small screening at the ICA we laughed, cringed and cried on a roller-coaster of emotions from the Chelsea Tractor streets of London to the harsh, barren and cold reality of the Arctic North.This is essential viewing for all. I left amused, entertained and felt some much needed humour (and humility) had been injected into the climate debate.Not least as I leave for the North Pole at the end of March. And yes, I did go to Public School. Sorry.