'Cave of Forgotten Dreams' opens up once-hidden world of enchantment

G; 90 min.

He's 68 years old and narrates his documentaries in an unmistakably raspy whisper, his heavy German accent adding an air of mystery.

And yet Werner Herzog has such obvious enthusiasm for the discoveries he depicts in Cave of Forgotten Dreams, it's as if you're listening to a giddy little kid who learned the coolest thing at school today and can't wait to tell you.

That's just one of the many fascinating contradictions that mark the latest film from Herzog, who previously brought us tales of bears ( Grizzly Man) and penguins ( Encounters at the End of the World). Here, he prowls around a French cave containing spectacular prehistoric artwork that was closed off to the outside world more than 20,000 years ago because of a rock face collapse.

Once scientists found the Chauvet Cave in 1994 and began investigating inside, they came across vivid and pristine images of horses, bears, rhinos and other creatures that they estimate are more than 30,000 years old -- almost twice as old as previous finds.

The drawings were so crisp and clean, the researchers doubted their authenticity at first. Now they're calling this one of the most important cultural finds ever. And Herzog didn't just gain unprecedented access -- he shot it all in 3-D.

Not only is the 3-D not gimmicky here, it actually enhances the viewing experience. Cave of Forgotten Dreams immerses us in a space that's at once enormous and darkly cramped, full of shimmering crystal formations and scattered cave bear skulls.

Cave of Forgotten Dreams does grow a bit repetitive, though, and probably could have been more effective if it had been a half-hour shorter. But then, Herzog ends the film with still more weird and wondrous imagery -- which, hopefully, will be the inspiration for his next documentary.

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-- Christy Lemire,

The Associated Press