Movie:
T-Rex: Back to the Cretaceous was directed by Brett Leonard and filmed on location in Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada. Originally released in the IMAX format in 1998, the film was presented in 3-D, though for the DVD release, it is strictly 2-D, though it is easy to tell where the 3-D effects were utilized. The film also differs from the other IMAX films I've seen, in that it attempts to be more movie-like than the normal IMAX documentary. Starring in the film are Peter Horton (Dr. Hayden) and Liz Stauber (Ally Hayden).

On a dig, paleontologist Dr. Hayden discovers what he and others on his research team think might be a dinosaur egg. The egg, along with other fossils that the team finds, is sent back to the museum to be analyzed. It is then that Dr. Hayden's daughter, Ally, discovers the egg. She's convinced it's a T-Rex egg, and that it will help prove her theory that T-Rexes laid and protected their eggs. But when the egg rolls off the table, it kicks up some "fossil egg smoke" which Ally inhales. Due to this, as she makes her way around the museum, she experiences life back in the Cretaceous period and eventually confronts a T-Rex.

If the film sounds slightly cheesy, that's because it is. This sure isn't "Walking with Dinosaurs," and it really doesn't even try to be. Of the few IMAX films that I've seen, this easily ranks as one of my least favorites, just because the film itself is quite silly. Besides the main plot of inhaling egg smoke and taking a "trip," the story also contains a scene where Ally confronts the T-Rex, saves one of its eggs, and then lovingly strokes the T-Rex's head…and she lives. The film is somewhat entertaining though, and will probably appeal to younger kids more than it will to adults.

Picture:
T-Rex: Back to the Cretaceous is presented in 1.33:1, which is the closest aspect ratio to the original IMAX presentation. A combination of live action and CGI, the transfer is terrific; its only flaws are one or two specks/marks and a slight bit of excessive edge enhancement. Colors and contrast are excellent with terrific detail.

Sound:
T-Rex: Back to the Cretaceous features a remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 track in English, Spanish, or French. Compared to other IMAX films I've seen, the 5.1 track wasn't nearly as impressive. Surrounds are used sparingly until about halfway through, when Ally first goes "back to the Cretaceous." Even then, the only real surround workout comes when the T-Rex appears and his screen time is minimal. Dialogue throughout the film is crisp and clean with no distortion that I could detect. Optional subtitles are available in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Extras:
Extras include the film's trailer, the IMAX trailer, and a five-minute documentary, which features interviews with the cast & director, as well as behind the scenes information.

Summary:
Fans of dinosaurs or especially T-Rexes might want to consider the film as a rental, if you've already seen "Walking with Dinosaurs" and "Jurassic Park." It also makes great entertainment for kids, as long as they're into dinosaurs. Rent it.