Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk (IMAX) [Blu-ray]
Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk (IMAX) [Blu-ray]
Studio: Image Entertainment Release Date: 02/10/2009
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Beautiful yet preacy
I didn’t see any description for this disk when writing this so here is a quick summary: The Colorado river is dwindling due to our ever expanding need for fresh water. Conservationist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and botanist Wade Davis (along with their daughters) and canyon guide Shana Watahomigie take an expedition to illustrate the need for changing the way the Colorado is exploited.
I haven’t seen that many IMAX films on the Grand Canyon so I won’t be able to give any real comparisons, but I will say this one does at least deliver on what I was looking for: Nice wide footage of the Grand Canyon. Although most of the footage is personal shots of the expedition you do get some really good aerial footage as well as other impressive nature shots.
The difference between this particular documentary and what I would normally expect from a Grand Canyon is that it has a conservation message tied to it. Instead of focusing solely on nature’s wonder there is a lot of footage on the effects of drought and siphoning of the Colorado River. So if you are looking for a full-on nature safari this isn’t exactly it. At the same time it’s not like you aren’t getting any absolutely amazing footage either. Just not as much as I was expecting.
Like many IMAX films coming to Blu-Ray the AVC transfer is breathtaking. Every little detail will stand out. The audio is equally immersive with the DTS HD MA 5.1 track getting you wrapped up in the sounds of the canyon all over. There is also a French DTS audio track. On the minus side there are no subtitles of any kind. There are a somewhat respectable list of extra features on this release, which I suppose it better than expected. Most of the extras are standard definition with the exception of one. Here is what you get:
- 30 Minute Making of Featurette
- Music video by Wade Davis’ daughter, Tara
- Retrospective of MFF IMAX productions (in HD)
- Water saving tips and river clean up tips (sponsored by Kholer and Tava)
- Fact sheet on the Grand Canyon and Colorado River
- Trivia quiz (text)
Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk is a very worthwhile documentary that shows the real beauty of the Grand Canyon… if you don’t mind the preachy parts. Of course conservationists will really appreciate the fact filled message as well as the eye candy. The IMAX theater release was also in 3-D, but I haven’t heard of any releases on Blu-Ray or DVD that will take advantage of that anytime soon.
5 Stars Gramd Adventure
We bought the movie because our daughter and childhood friends were river guides for OARS. It’s also a great way to run the Colorado River when your waiting for your next trip. Disappointed in the color quality of the video. It’s faded and doesn’t match up to the quality of the video at the IMAX theatre. It would also be nice if they would have included the 3d glasses.
3 Stars Probably better in IMAX theaters
I have several IMAX dvds and had high expectations about this new Blu-ray product. I especially liked the Ganges and Mysteries of the Nile productions and expected even better footage here since they were filming the Colorado River and landscape of the Grand Canyon.
I think as a conservation film this was okay. However, if you are interested in landscapes and river rafting, I’ve seen so much better out there and I was disappointed in the quality and coverage. I have a new Blu-ray player and expected better from this film. I guess it loses something once out of the IMAX, 3D environment it was designed for. It almost seemed over-exposed. Too much time focusing on clever graphics. After all, this is the Grand Canyon - it is not needed and I found it slightly irritating.
5 Stars Best BluRay Disc Ever!
I originally saw this movie in an IMAX Theater and was blown away by the entire production. The views, the sound, and the narrative are truly fantastic. This is still true for the BRD version. I watch this disc almost daily and I can’t get enough of it. If you like the BBC Planet Earth discs, you’ll surely love the Grand Canyon Adventure. The Dave Matthews Band soundtrack rocks too!
Filed under: Blue Ray Movie Reviews