An unexpected masterpiece

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

A great documentary about a troubled man that misinterpreted the concept of biodiversity conservation. Herzog didn't agree nor disagree with Treadwell's actions but was more fascinated by him as a nature filmmaker and by his extreme and weird ambitions. This insightful documentary also deals with the protagonist's psych, masterfully delivered by the director; this almost becomes more of a psychological drama than a nature documentary. The usual dark and pessimistic tone, typical in Herzog's films is also present here. Herzog's directing and constant interferences makes this the most artsy nature documentary I've seen so far. For example, that moment when he appears in front of the camera and listens to that audio tape, it's pure cinematic art! As a scholar in environmental sciences, I disagree with Treadwell's sloppy and unprofessional expeditions, but also somehow admire his courage and honest heart. It's interesting that he didn't choose an essential endangered species (even some invertebrates have a higher risk of extinction), but a very dangerous one, like he was asking for it. Treadwell was not a role model, nor hero or true naturalist; even if he's done more harm than good to wild bears, he was sincere and passionate about his work; a naive grown-up child that wanted peace for all living creatures on Earth.

"Grizzly Man" is not at all your average documentary. This is largely due to the personality of not only the film's subject, but the film's director. Werner Herzog's narration is not only special because of his iconic voice, but also because of how uniquely it is written. Herzog is not afraid to voice his opinion and philosophize in his narration. The narrator is not just a narrator in this film, he is a character, which is something you don't normally see anywhere other than the documentaries of Werner Herzog.The film is also unique due to a fascinating subject, and an unexpected blend of tragedy and comedy. The tragic aspect comes from the sadness and mourning of Timothy Treadwell's friends and family after a grizzly bear attack that killed him and his girlfriend. The comic aspect comes from the footage Timothy Treadwell took of himself and various bears in previous years, in which he not only took some amazing wildlife footage, but proved to have a personality so weird and wacky that I couldn't help but laugh during many points throughout the film. The deaths of Treadwell and his girlfriend are tragic, but it is clear that he was somewhat delusional and seems almost crazy at times. While he spent years out in the wild, the disastrous outcome seems like it was bound to happen.Many people say that they could not sympathize with Timothy Treadwell at all during the film, but I did feel something for him. He wasn't at all a bad man, and his intentions were good, but he was highly flawed as well. He wanted to be a bear, but that just wasn't meant to be.

You may read reviews and news stories that refer to the subject matter of this film as an in-depth study of a passionate environmentalist's quest to protect the ursine denizens of an Alaskan grizzly habitat.I'm here to tell you that this is a flick about a crazy dude that gets eaten by a bear.Others may say that the subject of the film, Timothy Treadwell, while a tad eccentric and misguided, gave his life in a dramatic attempt to teach the world how misunderstood the grizzly is; that his child- like fascination with the grizzly bear, in addition to various other wildlife in Alaska's Katmai National Preserve, was both beautiful and admirable. I've read many reviews in the last hour maintaining that Treadwell spent the final thirteen years of his life trying to send a message of compassion for wildlife everywhere and the sanctity of the land on which they live.I'm saying that the only message I took away from this guy was: Grizzly Bears Eat People! Don't Invade Their Space and Poke Them and Stuff, or They Will Kill You and Your Girlfriend!As for Treadwell's message, it's garbled at best. Personally, I always thought that grizzly bears might eat me. Turns out I was right, so I'm not sure I see how I've ever misunderstood the nature of the grizzly.If you've been wanting to see this film, or want to see it now that you've heard that an environmentalist gets eaten by a bear, please don't avoid it because you think I've spoiled the ending or didn't like it. They tell you about Treadwell's demise at the beginning, and I really did enjoy the story. Herzog's editorial asides undermined the documentary feel of the film for me, but who am I to argue with a guy that dragged a steamboat over a mountain?Spoilers below...What gets me about this Treadwell guy is that the film, for whatever reason, never really talks about how delusional he is. College dropout, failed actor, former drug addict. That's apparently what qualifies him to be a wildlife expert. He goes out into the woods every summer and hangs out with bears and foxes, then he talks to them in this Mister Rogers, sing-song voice, and pretends that they're his friends. To his credit, the foxes actually seem to dig it, but at no point in 100 minutes of film does any bear in his vicinity appear to view him in a welcoming manner. They don't let him touch them, all but the cubs keep their distance, and many of them seem pretty annoyed.If there had been a thought balloon above the head of any bear in "Grizzly Man" I imagine it would have said, "The minute we run out of fish, I'm eating the weirdo with the camera."My point is that Timothy Treadwell had issues. Viewing him as an authority on grizzly bears and wildlife conservation, as many people apparently did and was never discounted in the film, is like seeing Hugh Laurie as an authority on diagnostic medicine. Timothy Treadwell was a figment of his own imagination; a character in an elaborate, self-obsessed fantasy. I think "Grizzly Man" takes him entirely too seriously as an activist.Treadwell goes on at length in the film about how he sees himself as the protector of the Katmai grizzly, and that it's a role he takes very seriously. "I would die for these animals," he states with a show of emotional conviction.Yet during the only segment in the film where one of his grizzly friends is being harmed by humans, Treadwell hides in the bushes and sounds on the verge of tears, unwilling to reveal himself. These guys, whom Treadwell refers to as poachers, were standing around a boat taking pictures and throwing rocks at a nearby grizzly. Treadwell does nothing. It appeared to me that while he was horrified at the way the bear was being mistreated, he was more threatened by the intrusion of other humans into his fantasy world, and was too frightened to do anything about either.It's a sad story. Yes, partly because this kind-hearted guy and his girlfriend get gobbled up by a bear. But also because Treadwell really seemed to need help. A handful of "dear friends" were interviewed for the documentary, and I'm left wondering if these people had pointed out that he was acting like a wackjob, he may have avoided spending his final moments as a 6-foot chew toy.Tim Treadwell really seemed like a sweet guy with a caring circle of friends. It just seems to me that he deserved better in their hands...Good flick. Check it out.

Werner Herzog has created something truly brilliant here. Timothy Treadwell, a crusader for Grizzly bears, puts his life on the line for his love of these magnificent animals. This documentary details his life and mission right up until the fateful day where he and his girlfriend were attacked and killed by a rogue grizzly.Whether or not you agreed with what Treadwell was doing, you have to admire his passion. The documentary details this passion perfectly and you get the impression that he feels more connected to the animals he was studying, over human beings, but unfortunately tested the boundaries a bit too much, ultimately paying with his life. Its a sad tale of one man's mission to do what was right, but underestimating the power of nature.Herzogs non biased approach allows the viewer to make their own mind up about this unique human being, which makes it a brilliant film from a brilliant filmmaker!