Netflix seems to be reliably getting their documentaries nominated for Oscars as of late, and with its intriguing topic Virunga looked like a film with a lot of potential. It starts off great, really passionate and gripping about the injustices in its titular location. Then it moves onto something else, then something else, and more, and it keeps going until the connection between all these things feel all the more tenuous. That's the crux of Virunga, the direction lacks any form of restraint. It has the passion and it is interesting, but it too often opts for the most sentimental choice and it comes off as utterly contrived. All of its excitement feels so perfectly timed and formed that it comes off as orchestrated. To its credit, it is beautifully shot, though it often feels like an extract of Planet Earth rather than having its own identity. Not to belittle its cause, Virunga needed more time in the editing room to feel less cheap and sloppy.
6/10
6/10