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Blu-Ray : Worth a Look
Ranking:
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Release Date: November 16th, 2010 Movie Release Year: 2009

IMAX: Under the Sea - 3D

Overview -

Imagine a world of incredible color and beauty. Of crabs wearing jellyfish for hats. Of fish disguised as frogs, stones and shag carpets. Of a kaleidoscope of underwater life. Now, go explore it! The makers of “Deep Sea” and “Into the Deep” take you into tropical waters alive with adventure: the Great Barrier Reef and other South Pacific realms. Narrated by Jim Carrey and featuring astonishing camerawork, this amazing film brings you face to fin with Nature’s marvels, from the terrible grandeur (and terrible teeth) of a Great White to the comic antics of a lovestruck cuttlefish. This Blu-ray 3D disc will have both 3D and 2D playback capabilities.

OVERALL:
Worth a Look
Rating Breakdown
STORY
VIDEO
AUDIO
SPECIAL FEATURES
Tech Specs & Release Details
Technical Specs:
Region Free
Video Resolution/Codec:
1080p/AVC MPEG-4
Length:
41
Aspect Ratio(s):
1.85:1
Audio Formats:
Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles/Captions:
Spanish
Release Date:
November 16th, 2010

Storyline: Our Reviewer's Take

Ranking:

While many look up to the stars as the final unknown, beckoning further exploration, the vast ocean lingers as the last undiscovered region down here on Earth. With an estimated 50 million species yet to be discovered and many of them expected to be marine life, the sea remains an uncharted frontier capable of satisfying our desire "to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before." And while the saying is normally reserved for 'Star Trek,' it still holds true for our underwater universe, an alien world teeming with mind-boggling creatures that capture the imagination. And for those parts of the deep we have already surveyed, the organisms living there continue to fascinate and never cease to astound.

Cinematographer and director Howard Hall ('Into the Deep,' 'Deep Sea') takes viewers through one such journey in 'Under the Sea,' a short documentary originally filmed for IMAX theaters. Exploring the coastal areas surrounding Southern Australia, New Guinea, and the Indo-Pacific, much of what we see on screen is only a small fraction of the life which resides in the ocean depths. Many of the creatures shown in the film may look familiar to fans of nature programs, but Hall and his production team have done an excellent job of making it all seem new and exciting. At once educational, with Jim Carrey's voice explaining the mating habits of cuttlefish, the documentary is equally entertaining, with amazing displays of the daily rituals of other fish occupying the barrier reefs.

These ridges of living coral are packed with a rich diversity of sea critters, and the film focuses on their everyday existence in the midst of a very delicate habitat. This submerged civilization is known for being highly sensitive to the slightest climate change. And 'Under the Sea,' as with many newer wildlife features, mentions this very fact, and that much of this mesmerizing way of life is in danger of suddenly disappearing. Although concerns of global warming's negative effects upon these coastal regions is a clear message, Carrey's narration never pushes the matter to the point of annoyance. Instead, viewers are allowed to take pleasure in some of the most startling and beautiful photography of our aquatic friends. Only on occasion are we reminded of their fragile existence.


These self-sustaining ecosystems of calcium carbonates have always fascinated me, especially considering their relatively young age and how they are still able to house such an immense diversity of life. Formed only after the last great ice age, reef communities are home to a large variety of organisms, like eels that sway back and forth with the tide and look like tall grass. Some of the creatures live symbiotically, like a fish sharing a hole with a shrimp who keeps house, or a crab that wears an upside-down jellyfish for a hat. We are shown stunning images of a green turtle slowly nibbling away at its favorite food - a white-spotted jellyfish. We also witness the incredible camouflage techniques of leafy sea dragons, sting rays, stonefish, and the same cuttlefish mentioned earlier.

It's a thing of beauty to watch these amazing undersea animals in their everyday lives and marvel at their varied array of colors and adapted species. Clocking in at a comfortable 40 minutes, 'Under the Sea' doesn't delve too deeply into the science of these creatures as that might become a bit cumbersome, but it simply gives viewers a chance to stare in wonderment at the magnificence and splendor of these marine societies. Though the film also doesn't press the issue and dangers of global climate changes, the gorgeous and astonishing images still serve as a reminder of all that might be lost if things only worsen in time.


The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

Warner Home Video brings 'IMAX: Under the Sea' to 3D Blu-ray on a Region Free, BD25 disc inside a blue keepcase with a lenticular slipcover. Both 2D and 3D versions of the film are contained on the same disc. It starts by asking which version viewers prefer before switching to a standard main menu window with a photo still and music.

Video Review

Ranking:

Like its 2D counterpart, this MVC-encoded transfer is absolutely breathtaking, with several beautiful, reference-quality moments throughout. Taken from the original 65mm negative intended for IMAX 15/70 theaters and presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the photography is gorgeous and simply stunning, revealing every nook and cranny of the underwater structures. Fine lines around coral are razor-sharp and plainly visible while the scaly, unique patterns on the bodies of fish show lifelike textures. The rest of the video is lush with vivid primaries and sumptuous secondary hues, which create a terrific window-like effect. Contrast and brightness levels are perfectly balanced with inky rich blacks, providing the image with excellent clarity.

In the 3D department, the video remains spectacular although not always perfect. In a couple segments, the presentation is slightly flatter than in others, but not to the extent of being a complete disappointment. The image remains three-dimensional for a majority of the runtime with exceptional separation of background and foreground objects. The transfer has a highly enjoyable pop-up book effect that extends deep into the screen and generates a believable sense of depth and space. Several creatures swim in the middle of the screen and convincingly move independent of the rest of the picture, at times appearing as if hovering right in your living room. There are also many wonderful gimmick effects which make you flinch or swat at the air.

The only issue worth mentioning is also a minor one. Aside from a couple moments that look more like 2D than 3D, the picture has some very negligible banding of the water. But it's all easily forgivable considering the quality of the overall presentation.


Audio Review

Ranking:

The 3D presentation comes with an identical DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack and remains just as impressive for an underwater documentary film. So, I'll just repeat what I wrote last time:

While Jim Carrey's narration is clear and consistent in the center of the screen, the other two channels deliver a wonderfully inviting and warm soundstage. Bass is responsive and used effectively, giving the track a subtle, tangible presence. The musical score by Micky Erbe and Maribeth Solomon is perfectly balanced in the front and bleeds into the back surrounds to create a great sense of envelopment and keeping viewers engaged. Dynamics and fidelity are excellent and expansive, showing distinct definition in each instrument. Although the lossless mix comes with only a few sporadic discrete effects, rear activity is, nonetheless, enjoyable and persuasive, with convincing directionality. Overall, 'Under the Sea' debuts with a strong audio presentation.


Special Features

Ranking:

Sadly, this 3D Blu-ray edition of 'Under the Sea' is a bare-bones release.

With stunning photography of the varied marine life residing within coral reefs, 'IMAX: Under the Sea' is a fascinating glimpse of the everyday lives of ocean creatures. Narrated by Jim Carrey, the film is as educational as it is entertaining, and the colorfully stunning images serve as grave reminders of what might be lost with sever climate changes. The 3D Blu-ray arrives with a gorgeous three-dimensional video presentation and terrific audio. The lack of supplements is quite a disappointment, but fans of wildlife IMAX documentaries and 3D movies in general are sure to add this to their collection.