Flight of the Butterflies, now at Fernbank through 1/10

It’s been three weeks since we saw the film and my family is still talking about the butterflies. It’s fascinating to know that all of the Monarch Butterflies in the world do the same thing. Flight of the Butterfles is in IMAX 3D at Fernbank through January 10 and is 45 minutes of winged perfection.

I hesitantly agreed to take the boys (9 and 7) to Flight of the Butterflies because they quite simply do not do well with documentaries. Sometimes it’s challenging to have them watch anything that’s not animated or features a fart joke. However, I know that they love Fernbank Museum of Natural History so with caution to the wind we entered the IMAX theatre.

Approximately 45 minutes later the oldest one asked me if I knew about the Monarch Butterflies before seeing the film. He immediately peppered me with other nature questions and asked if he could see the other IMAX films whose trailers were shown before Flight of the Butterflies. We had apparently awakened the nature beast within our 9 year-old.

The film is amazing. From a technical perspective to a storytelling narrative it fully explains how scientists discovered this magical butterfly highway that happens every year. Essentially, each winter every single Monarch Butterfly flies from wherever it is to a mountain in Mexico. It’s the world’s largest family reunion, with millions upon millions of those that look almost identical. When you watch the film you’ll question how that many of any living thing can possible be in the same space. But, walk back a minute and consider that every single Monarch Butterfly in the world is here.

As you watch Flight of the Butterflies you’ll wonder how the folks at IMAX managed to get some of the footage. The scene where Dana (Danaus Plexippus), the butterfly who leads the story, puts her eggs onto a milkweed leaf is stunning. From there the drop grows into a millimeter sized worm, eats up a storm and then cocoons for a bit before it makes its 2,500 mile journey.

This is fabulous stuff that will hook in viewers as young as 6. Our 7 year-old really enjoyed it, said that the 3D was amazing and kept trying ‘pet’ the butterflies. He didn’t have nearly as many questions or observations as his older brother. Flight of the Butterflies is at Fernbank Museum of Natural History through January 10, 2019. Giant screen tickets are $13 for adults, $12 for seniors, $11 for children and $8 for museum members. Tickets can be purchased online at fernbankmuseum.org or by calling 404.929.6400.