7.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
In mind-blowing IMAX detail, unravel the enshrouded human time capsules that have become the most fascinating mystery of our time - Egypt's mummies. Probe ancient tombs to uncover these carefully hidden phenomena, and experience the dramatic adventure of their excavations. Follow top scientists as they embark on a modern-day forensic investigation of the mummies, extracting clues from our past that could have an enormous impact on medical science in our future.
Starring: Bob Brier, Angelique Corthals, Zahi Hawass, Elana Drago, William HopeDocumentary | 100% |
Nature | 64% |
History | 16% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.43:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Spanish: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Egyptology is a like a gateway drug for anthropologists. One minute you have a mild obsession with mummies and the next you’ve committed all twelve volumes of The Golden Bough to memory and churned out a 500-page dissertation on arctic shamanism and the societal ramifications of Inuit throat singing. Okay, so maybe I’m hyperbolizing the standard career path, but it’s hard to undersell the allure of Egypt, where ancient mysteries lie hidden just beneath the shifting sands. In my mind, Egypt has always existed in a kind of 19th century, Romantic-with-a- capital-R travelogue, where I’m dressed like an imperialist in a white linen suit and straw hat, leading a cavalcade of sleepy-eyed camels over endless desert dunes in search of half-buried antiquities. Scorpions crunch underfoot in tombs lit by torchlight, sarcophagi are opened with an audible gasp of rarified air, and I return triumphantly via steamship to the Royal Museum with crate upon crate of carefully wrapped relics. If you’ve ever shared a similar fantasy, you might want to check out Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs, an IMAX film that hit the big, big screen in April 2007.
The face of Ramses II...
As a sticker on the packaging proudly displays, the 1080p/VC-1 encoded transfer of Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs is based on an 8K scan of the original 65mm production elements. Like most IMAX films that have been given a quality transfer, Secrets of the Pharaohs is tack-sharp, displaying all the clarity and depth characteristic of large-format cinematography. Some of the wide, desert dune shots are incredibly dimensional—you may want to dust the area in front of your TV for sand—and close-ups allow impressive amounts of detail. There's one shot of a scurrying beetle where you can almost make out individual grains of sand as the insect makes tiny tracks across the screen. Colors are warm, bold, and expectedly sun- soaked. Much of the film's look is found in the contrast between the blue of the desert sky and the yellow sweeping sands below. The only misstep here—and this is a directorial choice, not a transfer issue—is that the film's visual idea of the afterlife is to harshly oversaturate green and blue tones. Thankfully, this only happens during one short scene. Black levels are strong and stable throughout, contrast is great, and the film's fine grain structure is only barely visible, never apparent at all from standard viewing distances. There are no banding, macroblocking, or any other transfer issues to report. I did notice a few extremely intermittent specks on the print, and some of the aerial shots are susceptible to flickering brightness levels, but otherwise Secrets of the Pharaohs looks superb.
Arriving on Blu-ray with DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround tracks in English, French, and Spanish, Secrets of the Pharaohs is well equipped in the audio department. The most striking part of the presentation is composer Sam Cardon's Middle East-inspired score, which combines regional instruments with Western elements and arrangements. The music is nicely spread across all the channels, with the deep whomp of tabla drums showing off a satisfying low end and finger cymbals chiming clearly in the rears. The surround speakers are engaged throughout, broadcasting battle sounds, the clinking clamor of construction, and wind whipping violently over the desert. There are even a few moments of surprisingly enveloping sound design, like a rare Egyptian thunderstorm and the collapse of an ancient tomb. My only complaint is that Christopher Lee's narration sounds frequently too low, not in terms of volume, but in the register of his voice. All the other dialogue, though, cuts cleanly through the mix.
"Making Of" Documentary (1080i, 22:23)
Shooting a large-format film has all the challenges of 35mm and then some, and this
documentary explores how, as director Keith Melton says, "it's all about attention to detail."
Because the IMAX format shows so much, everything about the production has to be spot-on,
from the performances and set dressing to the costumes and lighting, all of which are explored
here. Melton also notes that concessions had to be made in historical accuracy to keep the film
family friendly, especially regarding Queen Nefertari's costume, which would have been much
more revealing in real life. And, of course, if you're a camera geek like me, you'll enjoy seeing
behind-the-scenes footage of the massive IMAX cameras in action.
Film Trivia Quiz
See how well you paid attention to the film by taking this ten-question, multiple-choice
quiz.
Fast Facts
This text-only section includes some trivia about mummies as well as a glossary of Egyptology-
related terms.
Meet the Mummies
Nine of the mummies mentioned in the film are given brief historical bios here.
IMAX Trailers
Includes trailers for Wild Ocean (1080p, 1:46), Ride Around the World (SD,
2:08), Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs (1080p, 1:54), and Dinosaurs Alive!
(1080p, 1:22).
BD-Live Functionality
For the right kind of child—the kind who does mock excavations in the sandbox and wants to be a mummy for Halloween—Secrets of the Pharaohs will be educational and highly entertaining. And adults can enjoy it too, especially for the frequently stunning cinematography. Recommended.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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