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Thrill Ride: The Science Of Fun (IMAX)
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The film:
"Thrill Ride: Science Of Fun" is an IMAX film that takes a look at the history of rides that put a little bit of fear into us: the roller coasters, the theme park rides and last, but not least, movies themselves. I really was quite fascinated by much of what the film had to show me in terms of the history and creativity behind these rides - from the design of the roller coaster, to some of the computer work that has to go into the more modern rides. Harry Shearer("The Truman Show") provides a fine narration as well.
Unfortunately, the film grounds to a halt when this strange old guy who's supposed to be "the tour guide" comes on-screen to lead us through to the next part of the movie. He's supposed to be funny. He's not. The character is completely wrong for a film that's supposed to be high tech, and when he appears, I wanted him to leave - quickly. The only other fault that I found with the film is that it ends rather suddenly, and as a result, the film feels a little shorter than other IMAX films.
There's still a lot to like, though. The information is quite interesting, and the cinematography is quite excellent. Overall it's not the best IMAX film I've ever seen, but it's certainly above average.
The DVD
Where the film was just a little above average, the DVD speeds far and above any average level. This is, as the title would suggest, nothing less than a "thrill ride". The sound is certainly the highlight - there is very agressive surround use throughout a great deal of the movie, putting us right in the middle of the ride, with sound wrapping all around the viewer. This goes beyond being simply "entertainment" to the level of "experience" - the sound simply must be experienced to be believed. The video quality is fine as well, although there are a few minor bits of shimmering and a mark or two on the print used. Not the best image quality I've seen from an IMAX movie, but still very pleasing. The sound, though, is the best part - and a lot of fun.
The extras are not the strongest I've ever seen included with an IMAX presentation, though. The featurette included on this disc is a 5 minute presentation that includes a few interviews and information, but doesn't show nearly as much as the documentaries I've seen on other IMAX films - some of those documentaries (such as the one on Beavers:IMAX) are almost as long as the movie itself. Also included as extras are trailers for "Thrill Ride" and 2 other IMAX titles: "Across The Sea Of Time" and "Wings Of Courage"(didn't like "Wings Of Courage", personally).
The sound quality is easily the highlight of this DVD - the movie has some faults, but it's still quite entertaining. I'm going to give a moderate recommendation for "Thrill Ride" on DVD.
Grade:B
"Thrill Ride: Science Of Fun" is an IMAX film that takes a look at the history of rides that put a little bit of fear into us: the roller coasters, the theme park rides and last, but not least, movies themselves. I really was quite fascinated by much of what the film had to show me in terms of the history and creativity behind these rides - from the design of the roller coaster, to some of the computer work that has to go into the more modern rides. Harry Shearer("The Truman Show") provides a fine narration as well.
Unfortunately, the film grounds to a halt when this strange old guy who's supposed to be "the tour guide" comes on-screen to lead us through to the next part of the movie. He's supposed to be funny. He's not. The character is completely wrong for a film that's supposed to be high tech, and when he appears, I wanted him to leave - quickly. The only other fault that I found with the film is that it ends rather suddenly, and as a result, the film feels a little shorter than other IMAX films.
There's still a lot to like, though. The information is quite interesting, and the cinematography is quite excellent. Overall it's not the best IMAX film I've ever seen, but it's certainly above average.
The DVD
Where the film was just a little above average, the DVD speeds far and above any average level. This is, as the title would suggest, nothing less than a "thrill ride". The sound is certainly the highlight - there is very agressive surround use throughout a great deal of the movie, putting us right in the middle of the ride, with sound wrapping all around the viewer. This goes beyond being simply "entertainment" to the level of "experience" - the sound simply must be experienced to be believed. The video quality is fine as well, although there are a few minor bits of shimmering and a mark or two on the print used. Not the best image quality I've seen from an IMAX movie, but still very pleasing. The sound, though, is the best part - and a lot of fun.
The extras are not the strongest I've ever seen included with an IMAX presentation, though. The featurette included on this disc is a 5 minute presentation that includes a few interviews and information, but doesn't show nearly as much as the documentaries I've seen on other IMAX films - some of those documentaries (such as the one on Beavers:IMAX) are almost as long as the movie itself. Also included as extras are trailers for "Thrill Ride" and 2 other IMAX titles: "Across The Sea Of Time" and "Wings Of Courage"(didn't like "Wings Of Courage", personally).
The sound quality is easily the highlight of this DVD - the movie has some faults, but it's still quite entertaining. I'm going to give a moderate recommendation for "Thrill Ride" on DVD.
Grade:B
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