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Imax: Destiny in Space
Warner Bros. // Unrated // October 2, 2001
List Price: $19.99 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
One of the stronger IMAX features that sent viewers along with astronauts into Space, "Destiny In Space" covers a lot of ground in its short running time. Informative without being heavy and visually as stunning as most of it's similar genre entries, I often found the film fascinating. Narrated by Leonard Nimoy and directed in-part by "Star Wars" sound designer Ben Burtt, the film introduces the audience to the general daily lives of the astronauts in space, watching them as they go about their routines of fixing instruments and taking measurements.
The rest of the film covers a number of other topics; it looks at our future in space and what future generations might accompish in their exploration in space. This section includes "fly-overs" of Mars and Venus that are highly accurate computer renderings. Also a focus of the film is the introduction of the Hubble telescope and the mission to fix problems with Hubble that arose.
As with many of the large-format films, "Destiny In Space" was likely more thrilling on the stories-tall IMAX screen. Yet, the film's basic story - our exploration into space and the technology that will push that journey further for both us and future generations, still translates well to the small screen. The film also involves some of the best large-format filmmakers as participants. Director/cinematographer James Neihouse has been the cinematographer for "Blue Planet", "The Dream Is Alive", "Michael Jordan: To The Max" and other IMAX features. Burtt, aside from his lengthy and impressive list of sound crew credits, directed both "Destiny" and "Blue Planet". Toni Meyers has edited several IMAX pictures, including "L5: First City in Space", "Hail Columbia!" and others.
A technically superb picture all around, "Destiny In Space" is nicely presented here, as well. The film's Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation at least assures that some of the big-screen experience comes with to the small screen.
The DVD
VIDEO: As with all of Warner's other IMAX titles (and most IMAX titles in general), "Destiny In Space" is presented in 1.33:1 full_frame. The picture quality of "Destiny" and fellow 10/2/01 release "Mission To Mir" show Warner begining to provide stronger image quality for their IMAX releases; some of the earlier titles were good, but a little problematic at times. Sharpness and detail are very pleasing, as many sequences provide a solid amount of depth to them.
I noticed only a few very minor flaws with the presentation. A couple of slight traces of edge enhancement popped up, as well as a speckle or two on the print used. Otherwise, I saw no instances of pixelation or other flaws. Although not a bright and colorful film, the colors on display still did appear natural and crisp, with no problems. A fine presentation, but not the best I've seen IMAX look on the small screen.
SOUND: As with Warner's other IMAX titles, "Destiny In Space" contains a very enjoyable Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation. The film's sound experience isn't quite as strong as fellow 10/2/01 release "Mission To Mir", but as with other IMAX titles, the sound design still manages to insert us convincingly into the middle of the experience the film focuses on.
As with the other IMAX titles - and especially the space-themed titles - the surrounds are put into constant and agressive use. Distinct ambient sounds in the space shuttle are easily heard and often featured in the surrounds. It's really impressive to hear the IMAX filmmakers realize that not only is the large-format's screen important to bring the audience into the experience, but the film's sound design. "Destiny in Space" is no different, providing a very engaging and immersive experience. Although the narration (by Leonard Nimoy, no less) comes from the center speaker throughout, there's the occasional scene where those in the scene (flight control, NASA staff, astronauts) have their voices come from the surrounds, while what they're focusing on is on-screen.
The film has two instances of that favorite of all "home theater demo" sequences, the shuttle launch. Both do provide a strong amount of surround use to make the viewer feel like they're close-up to the roar as the shuttle takes off, but the amount of bass under the sequence doesn't quite provide the level of rumble as some similar sequences in other films have, but both sequences are still certainly powerful. Otherwise, sound quality was generlly very good. The film's score sounded rich and dynamic, while narration and dialogue between the participants in the film were both clear and easily understood.
MENUS:: Static film-themed menus are included, but the score does play in the background.
EXTRAS:: Many of Image Entertainment's IMAX titles boast "making-of" documentaries that are often nearly as long as the picture itself. These documentaries are often extremely informative and intimate, taking us close-up into the challenges of large-format filmmaking. Unfortunately, Warner Brothers has not provided any similar supplements for their IMAX titles. Short featurettes are included on only some of the titles, including both "Mission To Mir" and "Destiny In Space". The slightly over nine minute featurette included for "Destiny" is certainly the best "making of" that's been included on a Warner IMAX title thus far. Although it starts off slightly promotional in nature, we're quickly introduced to footage discussing how the astronauts had to learn to become IMAX filmmakers themselves as well as other technical details about how the production was able to capture its remarkable footage. Also included is the film's theatrical trailer and a general IMAX trailer.
Final Thoughts: Although I thought "Mission To Mir" was a very enjoyable and informative piece, "Destiny In Space" steps up to provide an equally fine show that's both insightful about space exploration and visually marvelous. Great audio/video quality and a minor supplement make this worth a look for IMAX fans.
One of the stronger IMAX features that sent viewers along with astronauts into Space, "Destiny In Space" covers a lot of ground in its short running time. Informative without being heavy and visually as stunning as most of it's similar genre entries, I often found the film fascinating. Narrated by Leonard Nimoy and directed in-part by "Star Wars" sound designer Ben Burtt, the film introduces the audience to the general daily lives of the astronauts in space, watching them as they go about their routines of fixing instruments and taking measurements.
The rest of the film covers a number of other topics; it looks at our future in space and what future generations might accompish in their exploration in space. This section includes "fly-overs" of Mars and Venus that are highly accurate computer renderings. Also a focus of the film is the introduction of the Hubble telescope and the mission to fix problems with Hubble that arose.
As with many of the large-format films, "Destiny In Space" was likely more thrilling on the stories-tall IMAX screen. Yet, the film's basic story - our exploration into space and the technology that will push that journey further for both us and future generations, still translates well to the small screen. The film also involves some of the best large-format filmmakers as participants. Director/cinematographer James Neihouse has been the cinematographer for "Blue Planet", "The Dream Is Alive", "Michael Jordan: To The Max" and other IMAX features. Burtt, aside from his lengthy and impressive list of sound crew credits, directed both "Destiny" and "Blue Planet". Toni Meyers has edited several IMAX pictures, including "L5: First City in Space", "Hail Columbia!" and others.
A technically superb picture all around, "Destiny In Space" is nicely presented here, as well. The film's Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation at least assures that some of the big-screen experience comes with to the small screen.
The DVD
VIDEO: As with all of Warner's other IMAX titles (and most IMAX titles in general), "Destiny In Space" is presented in 1.33:1 full_frame. The picture quality of "Destiny" and fellow 10/2/01 release "Mission To Mir" show Warner begining to provide stronger image quality for their IMAX releases; some of the earlier titles were good, but a little problematic at times. Sharpness and detail are very pleasing, as many sequences provide a solid amount of depth to them.
I noticed only a few very minor flaws with the presentation. A couple of slight traces of edge enhancement popped up, as well as a speckle or two on the print used. Otherwise, I saw no instances of pixelation or other flaws. Although not a bright and colorful film, the colors on display still did appear natural and crisp, with no problems. A fine presentation, but not the best I've seen IMAX look on the small screen.
SOUND: As with Warner's other IMAX titles, "Destiny In Space" contains a very enjoyable Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation. The film's sound experience isn't quite as strong as fellow 10/2/01 release "Mission To Mir", but as with other IMAX titles, the sound design still manages to insert us convincingly into the middle of the experience the film focuses on.
As with the other IMAX titles - and especially the space-themed titles - the surrounds are put into constant and agressive use. Distinct ambient sounds in the space shuttle are easily heard and often featured in the surrounds. It's really impressive to hear the IMAX filmmakers realize that not only is the large-format's screen important to bring the audience into the experience, but the film's sound design. "Destiny in Space" is no different, providing a very engaging and immersive experience. Although the narration (by Leonard Nimoy, no less) comes from the center speaker throughout, there's the occasional scene where those in the scene (flight control, NASA staff, astronauts) have their voices come from the surrounds, while what they're focusing on is on-screen.
The film has two instances of that favorite of all "home theater demo" sequences, the shuttle launch. Both do provide a strong amount of surround use to make the viewer feel like they're close-up to the roar as the shuttle takes off, but the amount of bass under the sequence doesn't quite provide the level of rumble as some similar sequences in other films have, but both sequences are still certainly powerful. Otherwise, sound quality was generlly very good. The film's score sounded rich and dynamic, while narration and dialogue between the participants in the film were both clear and easily understood.
MENUS:: Static film-themed menus are included, but the score does play in the background.
EXTRAS:: Many of Image Entertainment's IMAX titles boast "making-of" documentaries that are often nearly as long as the picture itself. These documentaries are often extremely informative and intimate, taking us close-up into the challenges of large-format filmmaking. Unfortunately, Warner Brothers has not provided any similar supplements for their IMAX titles. Short featurettes are included on only some of the titles, including both "Mission To Mir" and "Destiny In Space". The slightly over nine minute featurette included for "Destiny" is certainly the best "making of" that's been included on a Warner IMAX title thus far. Although it starts off slightly promotional in nature, we're quickly introduced to footage discussing how the astronauts had to learn to become IMAX filmmakers themselves as well as other technical details about how the production was able to capture its remarkable footage. Also included is the film's theatrical trailer and a general IMAX trailer.
Final Thoughts: Although I thought "Mission To Mir" was a very enjoyable and informative piece, "Destiny In Space" steps up to provide an equally fine show that's both insightful about space exploration and visually marvelous. Great audio/video quality and a minor supplement make this worth a look for IMAX fans.
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