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My ratings are based mainly on the QUALITY OF THE 3D, not the video content.
Not counting a few shallow effects, there are 11 out of screen effects. 4 that extend about 10% of the way, from the screen to the viewer and another 3 around 25%. Bubbles float around extending up to 50% for 90 seconds. Grinding sparks shoot out for 15 seconds up to 50%. A fishing net hangs out 35% for 15 seconds and there is a floating window at about 20%. The effects in the menu are also very nice.
No real complaints about the in screen 3D. Most of the footage is clear and excess parallax only showed itself a few times.
*** Nice scenery and wild river shots ***
*** The bubbles floating around in mid air are pretty cool ***
MY 3D RATING = GOOD (poor, fair, good, very good, excellent)
Note: As far as the percentages go, everyone's eyes are different. What I see at 25% you may see at 15% or 35%. To fully realize how far something is out of the screen for you, pause on an effect and direct a partner with an extended finger to the tip of what you are seeing. You may be surprised.
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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. The 3-D on this release is indeed in full 1080p as opposed to the 720p some studios are mulling over for their 3-D BD releases. Every little detail will stand out, even on the included 2-D version (even if those details won't come out and touch you). 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 German DTS HD audio track. Unfortunately like the original Blu-Ray release I think there are no subtitles of any kind. There are a somewhat respectable list of extra features on this release, which I suppose is 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 chronicling the challenges of shooting in IMAX 3-D.
Music video by Wade Davis' daughter, Tara singing "Water"
IMAX feature trailers in HD
It looks like they took out some of the features that are on the 2-D only Blu-Ray released a little while back like the HD MFF IMAX Productions retrospective, conservation tips, fact sheet and trivia. I guess you can say it's small price to pay for the 3-D aspect. Still some will miss the retrospective.
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 so now you get the full experience of this 40 minute feature... well... aside from the massive IMAX viewing screen of course.
Best Deals for IMAX: Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk (2008)
I just got a 3d TV in July 2010. This DVD is by far the best Bluray 3D to date. I am buying all that are generally released since so many are being tied to buying the sets now a days. (A practice that is hurting the very customers that support 3D by buying a 3D TV, then can only get certain movies)An interesting story, that is a little one sided, but nevertheless truthful, tied together with breathtaking cinematography.
One of the few 3D movies released to date that not only shows 3D depth, but sends the picture towards you. Other 3D movies do this, but only for a moment or two. This production is great at that. The resolution is crisp and clear. The colors of the canyon really get shown off. Beautiful. Makes me want to go there on my next vacation.
A great film of one of our most treasured natural resources. The best 3D to date. You can't go wrong here...
Honest reviews on IMAX: Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk (2008)
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.
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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.
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