I am far from a baby person. Don't get me wrong: I like kids. If you want to push one out, contribute to pushing one out, and/or voluntarily attend children's birthday parties for the next eighteen-plus years, God bless you. It's how the world goes round. Just understand that my childless by choice status made me approach "Babies" with a fair amount of trepidation.
And I really enjoyed it.
The nearly nonverbal style of the yearlong glimpse into early life in four different locations around the globe (Namibia, Mongolia, Tokyo and San Francisco) provides breathtaking scenery and a soothing tone that will reduce the highest of blood pressures to a laid-back hum. And for those who enjoy a healthy dose of adorable but don't want to endure late night feedings or spit up, "Babies" provides a safe, calm compromise. Pop it in and marvel as each kidlet masters his or her first steps, with a backdrop cloudless blue skies or a futuristic-seeming urban landscape. Giggle and squeal as Hattie takes apart a banana, as Bayar successfully liberates toilet paper from its roll, as Mari has a dramatic outburst over a failed puzzle, as Ponijao explores the underside of a dog's ear. No dialogue, no subtitles, almost no background noise, no need. It's fascinating and fun on its own.
Something I struggle with almost daily is how to appear adequately enamored of my friends' spawn without coming off as the pathetic single girl caricature. Watching this sweet little slice of life, I didn't have to pretend. Like little ones are before they are old enough to feel insecure, I just was.
Special features are pretty scarce, and include a five minute glimpse at the now four-year-old subjects, watching the film with their families.
Movie: 4 Yaps
Extras: 2 Yaps