This disc represents the best example of 3D photography available for Blu-Ray 3D at this time (17-Nov-2010). And, where one might fear that it would be undermined by insipid commentary from Jim Carrey, that fear turns out to be misplaced, with only a few brief exceptions.
Having done 3D (it should really be called "stereo") photography in the past, I can say that there are ways to do it well, and ways to do it poorly. Poor technique, and/or difficult subject matter, lead to artifacts (like distracting cases of the left image bleeding through into the right image, and vice versa - imperfect presentation technology is a factor in such cases, but stereo photographers know they face such problems, and failure to allow for them shows a lack of care) and, in extreme cases, even to difficulty in mentally assembling the 3D scene.
The stereo photography on this disc is not perfect in every case, but, overall, it is the best I've seen yet from any Blu-Ray 3D title (and I've bought all of the IMAX conversions available to date, and several of the few available films). Sit directly in front of your TV, and you can reach out and touch many of the creatures they've captured. It is a thing of beauty. (You will, for instance, probably never see a potato cod captured more perfectly.) In the rare cases where quality problems emerge it is in situations where stereo photography is just plain problematic - scenes with significant, but unpredictable, depth of field, high contrast elements, and subjects whose proximities to the camera(s) vary uncontrollably, leading to excessive parallax at times. I have no idea what equipment the photographers who made this IMAX film worked with, or what the state of the art currently is (or was at the time), but, in my experience, they'd have been hard-pressed to do better in practice.
If I were to pick any of the currently available Blu-Ray 3D titles to show-off 3D (stereo) television, or just for the pleasure of repeated viewing, this is the one I would choose. IMAX: Under the Sea 3D (Single-Disc Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray Combo)
I rented this movie at Blockbuster to watch on a Samsung UN55C8000 55-Inch 1080p 240 Hz 3D LED HDTV.
IMAX offers many different movies that cover a wide range of topics that are great for children and adults.
Needless to say, the quality of the movie is simply breathtaking.
The movie shows various animals and species in their natural underwater habitat that most of us simply will never get to see in our lifetimes.
Jim Carrey's narration is an added bonus to the overall entertainment value. He narrates with a relaxed yet charming voice with small jokes you and your family will be sure to enjoy.
With stunning images and vivid colors and scenery, this movie must not be missed.
The only drawback to this movie is the length at under an hour which will leave you either wanting more or simply watching it again.
I am placing an order on Amazon for my own copy after I finish writing this review.
I am a scuba diver and I have dove all over the world including the South Pacific.
Many friends ask me what it looks like when we scuba dive. White balance is extremely difficult when shooting pictures under water, and changes constantly. You need to take a white card and rebalance the camera every few minutes. This movie, shot in the South Pacific, New Guinea, New Zealand, The Great Barrier Reef etc, is the most accurate ocean movie I've ever seen. They have somehow accurately captured the rainbow of colors we see when we dive. You will never see anything as bright and colorful as tropical fish and coral. The film crew must have a huge array of lights to shoot this.
Fish "school", move together, so nearsighted larger predator fish, sharks and such, will think they are one big fish instead of a thousand small fish and not attack them. This movie shows thousands of small fish schooling together, which is a fascinating and hypnotic process to watch.
Movie also contains a scene of the fabulous reclusive Leafy Sea Dragon one of the strangest creatures in the sea, which I have only seen here and in the Monterey Aquarium.
Yes, it's a little short. The film crew doubtless shot hundreds of hours of movie and has provided the viewer with the choicest and most interesting parts. (it's damn hard to get those fish to pose!)
It's the closest you can come to diving without getting wet.
Recommended
"IMAX Under the Sea" narrated by Jim Carrey is spectacular when seen in Blu-Ray. The color photography is stunning and very vivid. It's a trip. It is photographed mostly along the sea bottom in the coral reefs off New Zealand and in Australia's Great Coral Reef.
As usual with these nature films it features a great deal of footage on predators. I guess the moviemakers think that their audiences will be enthralled by seeing predation at work, and of course it is dramatic and exciting to see hunters go at it. There are scenes of cute sea lions cavorting around the bottom, and luckily the producers don't show the predatory feats of the Great White Shark who is shown lurking in the vicinity.
The living coral reefs make marvelous visual images. The symbiotic relationships between species are shown when one species relieves another of parasites. Watch out for those cuttle fish with their darting projectiles that grab unwary passers-by. Big schools of fish are shown swarming through the sea as other fish sedately undulate along.
This movie is a treasure, and the camera people showed extraordinary skill. It's a rare sight to be able to see the teeming marine life that inhabits the reefs.
This film is indeed quite short, but so beautiful that you'll watch it again and again. The educational narration is fun and easy to discuss later with young children. I rented the movie, but I would consider buying it because I could watch it over and again. It seems quite steep new though, so I would look for a used copy. - Imax - 3d Movie - 3d Blu-ray - 3d'
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