With the tradition of a wedding comes the honeymoon, a special time where a couple is provided a chance for intimacy after the ceremonial whirlwind. It's a period of closeness in the midst of an exotic location, demanding the twosome engage in all sorts of relaxation and mild adventuring, solidifying the union with an once-in-a-lifetime shot at glorious recreation. For wolf biologist Isaac Babcock and his new wife Bjornen, sealant for their matrimonial bliss wasn't cured under a Hawaiian sun, but in the harsh conditions of the wild, with the two embarking on a journey into the restless lands of Idaho to experience nature up close as a couple. Though far from a customary romantic ideal, the commitment to extended study carried an unforgettable stretch of time where the newlyweds found a chance to bond while together out in the middle of nowhere, strengthening their communication and survival skills as a singular unit, out to grasp the movement of life in a land few dare to traverse in our digital age. Who needs a soft bed, rolling waves, and mixed drinks when there are wolves, birds, elks, and otters to study while enduring crippling atmospheric changes, taxing terrain, and swarms of bugs? Ahh, romance.
Actually, it was Isaac's idea to spend a year inside the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area (over 2.3 million acres in size) in central Idaho, looking to continue his review of wolf behavior after spending most of his adulthood trudging through lands and over mountains to keep up with his favorite subject, filming all sorts of animal life along the way. However, with their recent marriage, Bjornen wanted to join the expedition, teaming up with her husband to take on the physically daunting trek across pure nature, a roadless area that received a designation as wilderness in 1980, permitting flora and fauna to reclaim its dominance, returning this chunk of earth to a primal place of hunting and gathering. Gearing up with camping assistance, HD cameras, and a third individual to help out with documentary needs, the couple (who share narration duties through diary entries) set out to live with the wild for four seasons of exploration and research, with Isaac ultimately out to acquire a deeper understanding of wolf activity in the area, hoping to capture the creatures on the prowl for prey, studying their personalities and survival techniques. Although Issac admits to some reluctance with Bjornen's participation in this crossing, it's clear their love is built on exciting ventures, with the twosome out to receive a land few dare to experience for such an extended period of time.
As to be expected with such an endeavor, crossing the River of No Return isn't easy. With the land in constant flux, and with the intimidating presence of wolves, the journey is rough on Isaac and Bjornen, who appear to love the foot-powered challenge, always on the hunt for discoveries. Of course, there's plenty of life in the wilderness to savor, and "River of No Return" is eager to fill time investigating other activity in the area. We meet the Dipper bird, a creature who feeds on water insects, managing to keep dry as it scoops up crisp treasures from the river, bringing the goods to immaculately crafted nests the Babcocks are most impressed with. Local otters are a special source of daydreaming for Isaac, who admires the deceptively simple life they lead, hunting and playing, while easily adapting to the needs of winter and summer. The documentary spends a good amount of time just observing the otters go about their daily business, sliding around the ice and rivers with skill. Chasing their powerful sense of instinct, the Chinook salmon work their way up the river, fulfilling their need to spawn in the freshwater oasis. The pair comes across a baby bluebird having trouble with flight, observing its parents swoop in with nourishment to keep the little one alive, hoping wing-power will kick in. There are also mosquitoes, swarms of mosquitoes, ready to feast on human visitors without mercy, forcing Isaac and Bjornen to seek shelter inside their tent, away from a persistent irritant.
While "River of No Return" is a study of nature, it's also a story of a relationship. Intimate moments are fleeting, but supply a feel for the couple's interplay, watching them enjoy a harmonica duet inside their tent, carry out their research methods, and partake in newlywed banter. It's a warm, respectful pairing with a few frustrated outbursts. However, there's a medical reality to the journey that's troubling, finding Bjornen diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis before landing in Idaho, hoping to survive her ailment long enough to accompany her husband without concern. Unfortunately, the pain is often too much to bear, leaving Bjornen immobile, unable to work with her hiking gear, while leaving Isaac heartsick, unable to cure his wife of her stressful ills. The flare-ups come to alter the year-long plan slightly, as the couple seeks shelter at the Taylor Ranch compound during the heavy winter, unable to keep up their pace on foot when the cold arrives.
Despite the medical setbacks, stunning moments of nature are still captured on camera. The couple stumbles upon sheep mating season, watching the rams slam horns to compete for the attention of ewes, with a few unlucky contestants walking away with injuries. An encounter with an unusual elk herd leaves the biologist stunned, observing a limping elk's impending doom at the hands of hungry wolves thwarted by its mate, who stands defiantly in front of the wolf pack, showing atypical compassion. And the wolves, the very reason Isaac is in the River of No Return to begin with, are shown is some detail, though they remain largely elusive, with the exception of some curious juveniles and pups, popping out of the protection of their dens to spy on the human invaders.
The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation sustains a satisfactory HD viewing experience. While camera equipment limitations are easily detected, there's a comfortable balance of crisp detail emerging from beauty shots of nature in motion to slightly softer sequences of Isaac and Bjornen sharing time in front of the camera, often in confessional mode. Transitions between shots aren't jarring, leaving the presentation with a stable exploration of the area, providing textures to the woodsy surroundings and animal fur, with a good portion of the program shot from a distance to preserve creature care. Colors are stable and communicative, reaching with a bright palette of foresty greens and clear blue skies, while skintones remain healthy and natural, also displaying signs of wear and tear as the months go by. Crush is detected with the rare interior expedition, and stock footage looks poor, suffering from macroblocking issues.
The 5.1 Dolby Digital sound mix doesn't offer a thunderous circular sensation, but the surrounds are used tastefully, carrying a sensation of blowing wind and chirping distances, bringing depth to the track. Primary concern is placed on the tag-team narration, which sounds deep and rich, carrying satisfactory emotional weight without any interference from the supportive scoring cues, which also sustain a pleasant flow. There's not much in the way of sonic force here, with low-end nonexistent and directional activity quiet. It's more stable than demonstrative, keeping the listener engaged.
Encapsulating a year of activity is a difficult endeavor (especially under an hour), leaving "River of No Return" a little spotty with the details, losing a feel for the explorers' true mindset during seasonal changes and assorted survival challenges. While it lacks substance, the documentary contains a sensational sense of surroundings, providing viewers with an appreciation for the land's natural beauty. One doesn't finish "River of No Return" with a feel of educational exhaustion, but there's satisfaction to be had after four seasons of travel with two people who've clearly cherished the opportunity for discovery they've been offered.
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