Having seen CGI polar bears scrap in The Golden Compass, young audiences can now sample the real thing in Arctic Tale, a March of the Penguins for kids that charts the life cycle of a plucky cub trying to survive in the North Pole. Partnering its ursine heroine's progress with that of a female walrus calf, Adam Ravetch and Sarah Robertson's documentary combines stunning wildlife footage with an environmental message. Shame both are continually undercut by Queen Latifah's aggravating narration.

Opting for a sassier version of Morgan Freeman's Penguins voiceover, the rapper turned actress - billed as a "storyteller" in the opening credits - is warmly welcoming as she introduces us to "Nanu" the polar bear and "Seela" the walrus (in truth, composite creations made up from 15 years worth of National Geographic clips). Once she begins using sassy colloquialisms like "That's how they roll", however, you can't help hankering for David Attenborough's more reverent delivery. One might also have hoped for less walrus flatulence and the excision of such obvious music cues as 'We Are Family' by Sister Sledge.

"GLOBAL WARMING TUB-THUMPING"

Once the dangers of the animals' shrinking habitat hit home, though, the story takes on an urgency not even Latifah can diminish. And when Seela's protective "Auntie" ends up as the adult Nanu's dinner, there's not a child alive who'll not want to blubber. Okay, some might find the global warming tub-thumbing a little hard to bear. But then, what else can you expect from a script co-written by Al Gore's daughter Kristin?

Arctic Tale is out in the UK on 8th February 2008.