6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 3.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.7 |
A powerfully moving large format film unlike any other, Hurricane on the Bayou carries audiences behind today's news headlines on a journey deep into the soul- stirring heart of Louisiana - before, during and after the unprecedented devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
Documentary | 100% |
Nature | 72% |
Video codec: MPEG-2
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.43:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 5.1
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Every since I have been reviewing films, I have always been impressed with how film company MacGillivray and Freeman has used the IMAX format to teach us about our planet. Rather than using the format to only emphasize great visuals and sound, they have chosen to travel the world and showcase natures many wonders, and how human interaction affects it. Hurricane on the Bayou is a film that positions itself between Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth and Spike Lee's When the Levees Broke. It does not have the raw emotions of When the Levees Broke nor does it have the stoic by the numbers scientific feel of An Inconvenient Truth. Instead, it nestles itself somewhere between these two divergent films, showing both science and emotion without solely relying on either to drive the story line. This story centers on the historic city of New Orleans, a city of rich cultural diversity, great food and a uniquely blended musical tradition. It is a city that almost lost its entire unique flavor as it was nearly drowned and blown away by natures rage and fury; Hurricane Katrina.
Hurricane on the Bayou storms on to the Blu-ray format in an excellent 1080p/MPEG- 2 encode, framed at a full 1:78:1 aspect ratio. This is the best looking IMAX film I have reviewed so far. Grain is well managed and relegated to the stock footage inserted in to the IMAX film. Images are ultra sharp--sharper than I have ever seen on the IMAX format. Underwater and aerial shots are equally impressive, rendering images with a high degree of detail. Black levels are outstanding, and contrast is right on the money. Colors are true, well saturated, and look as natural as I view them with mine own eyes. Green shrubbery, blue waters, blue sky, all came across impressively real to these eyes. The only issue I could find is a couple of shots that appeared tightly cropped, otherwise the overall picture quality was nothing short of amazing.
The audio features heavy doses of New Orleans jazz/Cajun/zydeco music in the form of a very well mixed DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 encode at a 16/48 kHz bit and sample rate. Dialog is fixed in the center channel, with no music or effects to hamper intelligibility. Separation across the frontal sound stage is very good, and music and effects wrap effectively into the surrounds. Hurricane scenes (CGI and all) sound particularly dynamic, with the sound of thunder, lighting, and pouring rain coming from all directions, including overhead. The LFE can be frighteningly powerful, especially during the storm scenes. The overall sound field is huge and wide open, with a very coherent front to back separation. Kudos should be given to MacGillivray and Freeman for a fine audio and video presentation.
The extras on this disc are on par with other IMAX releases on Blu-ray disc. They are
usually as comprehensive as the movie itself; here is the line up:
The Making Of goes into the background of the production. Almost as long as the
film itself, it goes into great detail on how the film originally had one purpose which changed
after Katrina hit the city.
Film Trivia Quiz is a series of trivia based on what is covered in the film.
About the Musicians goes into the background of the various musicians that
participated in the project.
About the Audubon Nature Institute
Alligator Stuff
Play MacGillivray Freeman movies
About Greg MacGillivray
Trailers
This disc is BD-Live enabled.
I volunteered for a month in New Orleans days after Katrina hit and I can attest to the devastation of the city, as well as the human suffering that accompanied it. Television shots just did not do any justice in showing the devastation that was rained on that city in such a short period of time. I am glad that MacGillivray and Freeman used the IMAX format not only to highlight the devastation, but to teach us why it happened. Hurricane on the Bayou is highly recommended for it excellent audio and video quality, but for the content as well.
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