The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/3D Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
87
Studio and Year: IMAX - 2003, 2005
MPAA Rating: Not rated
Feature running time: 41,42 minutes
Genre: Documentary
Disc Format: BD-25
Encoding: MVC/AVC (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 1.78:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1, Italian, Castilian Spanish, French, German DTS 5.1, Dutch, Russian Czech, LA Spanish, Polish Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: Italian, Castilian Spanish, French, German, Dutch, Russian Czech, LA Spanish, Polish, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Thai, Korean, Turkish, Japanese, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish
Directed by:Jean-Jacques Mantello
Music by: Christophe Jacquelin
Written by: Dr. Mark Spalding & David Chocron
Region Code: A,B,C
Blu-ray Disc release Date: June 7, 2011
"IMAX to the Max"
Film Synopsis:
Ocean Wonderland: Presented by Jean-Michel Cousteau, Ocean Wonderland 3D takes you on a stunning visual diving adventure to the heart of the ocean: the coral reefs. Enter the magical and beautiful, yet endangered and fragile world of the coral reef: from Australia's Great Barrier Reef to the Bahamas. Discover the vast bio-diversity and the crucial role played by coral reefs within the marine ecosystem as they provide a habitat and food for a wide variety of fish species, while maintaining the health of our planet.
Sharks: Presented by Jean-Michel Cousteau, Sharks 3D offers audiences an astonishing up-close encounter with the Lions and Tigers of the Ocean. Come face-to-face with a multitude of shark species, including the Great White, Hammerhead, and the Whale Shark. Witness sharks as they really are; not malicious man-eating creatures, but wild, fascinating and endangered animals that have been in existence millions of years before dinosaurs roamed the earth.
My Take:
The IMAX experience is ideal for this subject matter as remarkable high-definition footage transports viewers to places human beings rarely see. It captures unique underwater worlds populated by exotic sea creatures and vistas that exist in an intriguing balance of nature. I find documentaries on sea life interesting and am always astounded by the dedicated underwater film crews that venture into the deep. Originally presented in IMAX 3D these films provide a look at the world's beautiful coral reefs and the amazing aquatic life that inhabit/depend on them plus an up close examination of some of the ocean's most feared and misunderstood denizens, the shark. Each film is hosted by a very friendly sea turtle (voiced by Geoffrey Bateman) and is presented in an informative and easy to understand narrative that audiences of all ages can enjoy.
Parental Guide:
These unrated documentaries are appropriate for general audiences.
AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
Audio: 84
- Dynamics:
- Low frequency extension:
- Surround Sound presentation:
- Clarity/Detail:
- Dialogue Reproduction:
3D Presentation: 90
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Depth (Onscreen):
- Dimension (Beyond the screen):
- Realism:
- Clarity/Detail:
- Color reproduction:
Ocean Wonderland 3D and Sharks 3D come to Blu-ray Disc from Universal Studios Home Entertainment featuring 1080p MVC encoded video and DTS-HD High Resolution (HR) 5.1 channel sound.
Looking at these films in high definition on my large screen resembled peering into a huge crystal clear aquarium. Each 3D presentation boasts superlative depth and an abundance of high level detail. The plethora of brilliant colors found in Ocean wonderland's reefs is vividly alluring as the deep primaries and resplendent secondary hues leap from the 1.781:1 framed video. Contrast balance is spot on as the various shades of gray and blue are gradationally revealing and whites appear bright with crisp highlights that preserve detail. Blacks are delineated, deep, and rich, which provides low level images with excellent perspective and depth of field. These presentations make wonderful use of the 3D platform. There are a variety of sequences that provide an entertaining reach out and touch sense of dimensionality as dolphins swim beyond the screen and into the room, you can almost reach out and touch a stingray's tale, and you are placed in the middle of swarms of jellyfish and schools of fish. Objects onscreen have a discerning sense of depth with natural degrees of separation that impart a defining perspective relative to their virtual placement. These aren't effects laden spectacles however there are enough floating, swimming and screen popping objects to keep 3D zealots interested. Resolution is strong as the vastness and scope of the recorded elements offers transparently rendered detail, eye pleasing color, and a rewarding sense of depth and dimension that simply looks terrific in high definition. I didn't notice any signs of ghosting/crosstalk or 3D related anomalies. Each of these Blu-ray releases includes an AVC encoded 1080p 2D presentation for viewers that havent yet made the move to 3D.
The lossy DTS-HD HR soundtracks are essentially identical and deliver the elements contained within these documentary films with aplomb. Hence my comments relative to them will apply to both. The running narration is rendered with clear articulation and smooth intonation. It probably could have been a bit more forward within the front soundstage but otherwise presented well. The front three channels are integrated nicely and combine high level detail/clarity with pinpoint imaging. The music, composed by Christophe Jacquelin, sounds great as it is rendered with appreciable top end air, smoothly rendered instrumentation, and discerning focus. The surrounds are effectively used to generate an enveloping soundscape that simulates the undersea world and its various sounds. Bass response is appropriate in that it lends low level extension in support of the recorded sounds and music. This isn't an aggressive surround mix but makes for an invigorating audio presentation that sounded great and mated perfectly with the source material.
Bonus Features:
Other than the 3D and 2D Blu-ray presentations there is no other content included.
Final Thoughts:
IMAX Ocean Wonderland 3D and IMAX Sharks 3D are wonderfully presented visual adventures that traverse some of the planet's most beautiful and exotic underwater environments to show us a vast world that seems to exist on another plain. I was intrigued by the captivating imagery and interesting facts about its aquatic life and deep sea environments. Originally presented in IMAX 3D each offers high quality imagery that makes for an entertaining in home 3D experience for fans of the format. If you enjoy documentaries on sea life you can't go wrong with either of the these films.
Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS50 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector
JVC PK-AG1 3D Glasses
Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100 16x9 Screen
Anthem AVM50v THX Ultra 2 Preamp/Video Processor
Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier
Oppo BDP-93 Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Samsung BD-C7900 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule HD Universal Remote Control
Canton "Ergo" Series speakers
Axiom Audio QS8 Quadpolar speakers
SV Sound PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)
APC AV S15BLK Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Furman SPR-20i Stable Power Regulator
Wireworld, VizionWare, Audioquest, Better Cables, Best Deal Cables - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
Cool Components - CP-CP102 cooling package
