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Great North (IMAX)
Slingshot // Unrated // January 29, 2002
List Price: $19.99 [Buy now and save at Dvdempire]
The Movie:
IMAX large-format films have undergone a rather slow period lately. Personally, I've felt that the films released have generally been less-than-thrilling examples of the format. While there have been some bright spots ("All Access: Backstage" and, to a considerably lesser extent, "China: The Panda Adventure"), there have also been some releases that have been sleep-inducing ("Cirque De Soleil: Journey Of Man".) There's also the matter of distribution; there seems to be large-format films across the world that only play at one or two theaters. While it's great to finally see these pictures once they reach DVD, it would have been nice to see them on the big screen.
I've talked about several IMAX films getting too caught up in fictional stories instead of using the format to document incredible scenery or events. "Great North" is an example of terrific images and sparse narration; there's not an intensity or majesty to it, but it's consistently interesting and quick, edited down to the essentials (edited from 217,000 feet of 65mm film stock).
The film focuses on the story of Adamie Inukpuk, who is the grandson of the legendary Nanook of the North, who was the focus of the 1922 documentary. While a good deal of the film revolves around Adamie and his discussions of the Inuktitut culture, the documentary also follows herds of Caribou and offers other examples of the stunning landscape.
The DVD
VIDEO: "Great North" is presented in 1.33:1 full-frame by Slingshot. While 1.33:1 remains the main way that the large-format IMAX films are presented on the small screen, companies like Image Entertainment are now providing more and more anamorphic widescreen (usually 1.85:1) editions of these films. Slingshot's presentation of "Great North" looks pleasant, but I suppose I've been a bit spoiled by the efforts of Image Entertainment, whose IMAX releases often have a strong three-dimensional quality to the picture. Sharpness and detail on "Great North" is good, if not perfect. Some shots seem a bit softer than others, while the picture overall only has a fair amount of depth.
There's also more flaws than I'm accustomed to seeing for a new IMAX picture. Jagged edges and shimmering are visible during several sequences and some slight dirt is occasionally seen during the film. Of course, the black and white images from "Nanook" look worn, but that's to be expected. Colors could vary somewhat throughout the film; I thought they looked subdued in some scenes, while warmer and more vivid in others. This is a respectable and certainly watchable presentation, but it's not quite as smooth and crisp as I'd like.
SOUND: "Great North" is presented in both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 audio. The task in front of most IMAX sound designers seems to often be to use the 5.1 platform to its fullest in an attempt to place the audience in the middle of the landscape that's being documented. Many of these films, especially some of the Space IMAX features, provide demo-quality soundtracks. Unfortunately, "Great North" really doesn't take the potential of surround sound to its limits. The terrific score by Violaine Corradi is the main element of the sound that has strong presence, coming through fully from the fronts and reinforced by the rear speakers. The surrounds do do a very nice job carrying some ambient details and more defined sounds (such as the Caribou running around) during several scenes, but there are also some moments where I thought they could have been employed more for subtle details. Flipping back and forth between the Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks, I found the DTS soundtrack to have more presence and depth, with stronger bass and greater detail. Both soundtracks were quite good, although the film's soundtrack doesn't rank as one of the best I've heard from an IMAX production.
MENUS: Slightly animated snowy backgrounds to the main and sub-menus.
EXTRAS:
Commentary: This is a commentary from director/producer Martin Dignard, who provides a very interesting track for the approximately 40-minute picture. Given the fact that the crew had to venture into the wilds to film, there had to be a small crew who often did more than one task. Dignard also discusses the risky nature of filming wildlife for IMAX, where not only is it hard to predict where animals are going to run, the IMAX camera weighs nearly 100 pounds and rolls of film are only 3 minutes each. It's a very informative commentary and I hope that more IMAX releases will offer commentaries in the future so that filmmakers can speak further about their journey.
Making-of: This documentary, which is available in English or French, provides a very good general overview of the film's production as well as other facts about both the Caribou and the culture of those who live in the Arctic. While I would imagine that many IMAX productions that venture to far-off locations are particularly difficult to film, this one seems as if it must have been a very demanding four month shoot. With no roads heading into the territory, the heavy equipment had to be brought in using one of 30 planes chartered for the shoot, boats, sleds or other methods. Filming often had to be done in remarkably cold temperatures and there were some instances where the filmmakers only had mere moments to be ready to film and any major bumps or other jarring instances while filmming would likely render the shot unusable. This is a really superb documentary that I think many will likely enjoy, as it provides a great behind-the-scenes look at a very tough filmmaking experience. The documentary lasts about as long as the film itself, at a little over 40 minutes.
Also: The trailer (English or French), EPK (Electronic Press Kit, English/French), as well as a screensaver, Inuktitut Language Lession, Caribou Fun Facts, Northern Inhabitants Interactive Map and Children's Drawings/Essays.
Final Thoughts: "Great North" is an interesting IMAX feature covering the culture of the local people and offering glimpses of the stunning wildlife. The film doesn't quite build the larger-than-life feel or intensity that most IMAX wildlife documentaries do, but it remained very informative and enjoyable nonetheless. Slingshot's DVD edition of the film offers good audio quality and very solid supplements, but the picture quality is rather lackluster. Still, it's priced right at $19.99 and is worth a look for IMAX fans.
IMAX large-format films have undergone a rather slow period lately. Personally, I've felt that the films released have generally been less-than-thrilling examples of the format. While there have been some bright spots ("All Access: Backstage" and, to a considerably lesser extent, "China: The Panda Adventure"), there have also been some releases that have been sleep-inducing ("Cirque De Soleil: Journey Of Man".) There's also the matter of distribution; there seems to be large-format films across the world that only play at one or two theaters. While it's great to finally see these pictures once they reach DVD, it would have been nice to see them on the big screen.
I've talked about several IMAX films getting too caught up in fictional stories instead of using the format to document incredible scenery or events. "Great North" is an example of terrific images and sparse narration; there's not an intensity or majesty to it, but it's consistently interesting and quick, edited down to the essentials (edited from 217,000 feet of 65mm film stock).
The film focuses on the story of Adamie Inukpuk, who is the grandson of the legendary Nanook of the North, who was the focus of the 1922 documentary. While a good deal of the film revolves around Adamie and his discussions of the Inuktitut culture, the documentary also follows herds of Caribou and offers other examples of the stunning landscape.
The DVD
VIDEO: "Great North" is presented in 1.33:1 full-frame by Slingshot. While 1.33:1 remains the main way that the large-format IMAX films are presented on the small screen, companies like Image Entertainment are now providing more and more anamorphic widescreen (usually 1.85:1) editions of these films. Slingshot's presentation of "Great North" looks pleasant, but I suppose I've been a bit spoiled by the efforts of Image Entertainment, whose IMAX releases often have a strong three-dimensional quality to the picture. Sharpness and detail on "Great North" is good, if not perfect. Some shots seem a bit softer than others, while the picture overall only has a fair amount of depth.
There's also more flaws than I'm accustomed to seeing for a new IMAX picture. Jagged edges and shimmering are visible during several sequences and some slight dirt is occasionally seen during the film. Of course, the black and white images from "Nanook" look worn, but that's to be expected. Colors could vary somewhat throughout the film; I thought they looked subdued in some scenes, while warmer and more vivid in others. This is a respectable and certainly watchable presentation, but it's not quite as smooth and crisp as I'd like.
SOUND: "Great North" is presented in both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 audio. The task in front of most IMAX sound designers seems to often be to use the 5.1 platform to its fullest in an attempt to place the audience in the middle of the landscape that's being documented. Many of these films, especially some of the Space IMAX features, provide demo-quality soundtracks. Unfortunately, "Great North" really doesn't take the potential of surround sound to its limits. The terrific score by Violaine Corradi is the main element of the sound that has strong presence, coming through fully from the fronts and reinforced by the rear speakers. The surrounds do do a very nice job carrying some ambient details and more defined sounds (such as the Caribou running around) during several scenes, but there are also some moments where I thought they could have been employed more for subtle details. Flipping back and forth between the Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks, I found the DTS soundtrack to have more presence and depth, with stronger bass and greater detail. Both soundtracks were quite good, although the film's soundtrack doesn't rank as one of the best I've heard from an IMAX production.
MENUS: Slightly animated snowy backgrounds to the main and sub-menus.
EXTRAS:
Commentary: This is a commentary from director/producer Martin Dignard, who provides a very interesting track for the approximately 40-minute picture. Given the fact that the crew had to venture into the wilds to film, there had to be a small crew who often did more than one task. Dignard also discusses the risky nature of filming wildlife for IMAX, where not only is it hard to predict where animals are going to run, the IMAX camera weighs nearly 100 pounds and rolls of film are only 3 minutes each. It's a very informative commentary and I hope that more IMAX releases will offer commentaries in the future so that filmmakers can speak further about their journey.
Making-of: This documentary, which is available in English or French, provides a very good general overview of the film's production as well as other facts about both the Caribou and the culture of those who live in the Arctic. While I would imagine that many IMAX productions that venture to far-off locations are particularly difficult to film, this one seems as if it must have been a very demanding four month shoot. With no roads heading into the territory, the heavy equipment had to be brought in using one of 30 planes chartered for the shoot, boats, sleds or other methods. Filming often had to be done in remarkably cold temperatures and there were some instances where the filmmakers only had mere moments to be ready to film and any major bumps or other jarring instances while filmming would likely render the shot unusable. This is a really superb documentary that I think many will likely enjoy, as it provides a great behind-the-scenes look at a very tough filmmaking experience. The documentary lasts about as long as the film itself, at a little over 40 minutes.
Also: The trailer (English or French), EPK (Electronic Press Kit, English/French), as well as a screensaver, Inuktitut Language Lession, Caribou Fun Facts, Northern Inhabitants Interactive Map and Children's Drawings/Essays.
Final Thoughts: "Great North" is an interesting IMAX feature covering the culture of the local people and offering glimpses of the stunning wildlife. The film doesn't quite build the larger-than-life feel or intensity that most IMAX wildlife documentaries do, but it remained very informative and enjoyable nonetheless. Slingshot's DVD edition of the film offers good audio quality and very solid supplements, but the picture quality is rather lackluster. Still, it's priced right at $19.99 and is worth a look for IMAX fans.
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