Synopsis
Robert Redford narrates this documentary look at the remote human cultures that are livingin harmony with the planet, rather than conquering (or raping and pillaging, if you will) nature.Think of this as a 47-minute lite version of the Koyanisqatsi trilogy. Everything is verydreamy and beautiful, and this is hardly a rigorous work. But the images are absolutelybreathtaking. Produced for IMAX, this has all the earmarks of those features: short in runningtime and subst…nce, but long on breathtaking scenery and swooping aerial shots. Nothingrevolutionary here, but it sure is pretty.
Audio
There are both DTS and 5.1 options here. There isn’t a big difference between the two, inthat they are both excellent. The music is a huge, enveloping experience, with very strong bassand perfect clarity. The natural sounds are pretty immersive too. Redford’s narration iscompletely free of distortion.
Video
You have your choice between fullscreen and 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, so your TVscreen will be completely filled, no matter what variety you have. There is no grain whatsoever,and the clarity is nothing short of astonishing. The opening shot takes one’s breath awayimmediately: you’ll swear you’re watching this in IMAX after all, and in 3D at that. The coloursare mind-blowing, too.
Special Features
Director/editor Jon Long’s commentary covers both hows and the whys of the film’sproduction, engaging with the movie’s ideas as well as more technical aspects. The making-offeaturette is standard-issue, and the music video is an excuse to set more beautiful pictures tomusic. The trailers are for the special edition of Cinderella, Tarzan II, TheHitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and America’s Heart & Soul. The menu’s mainscreen is animated and scored, and the other screens are scored.
Closing Thoughts
One could raise issues of dreamy-eyed idealism and other such concerns, but really, this is afeast for the eyes.
Special Features List
- Director’s Commentary
- Making-of Featurette
- Music Video
- Trailers
