Samsung Presents: IMAX 3D Triple Feature Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

Samsung Presents: IMAX 3D Triple Feature Blu-ray Movie Review

Another 3D exclusive that would help to push the format were it available on the open market.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 5, 2010

Journey into the deepest recesses of the planet, to the islands where the theory of evolution evolved, and to lands that bring history to life in this remarkable three-film set of IMAX 3D features. Unfortunately, those journeys have been stymied by the decision to make this one-disc, three-film set a Samsung exclusive, available only through the purchase of costly 3D glasses and not even available free of, or at a greatly reduced, cost to those who previously purchased the first Samsung bundle. That's a tragedy, because these three IMAX films are borderline spectacular 3D releases, each delivering rich and satisfying -- but not problem-free -- 1080p Blu-ray full HD 3D transfers that truly capture both the awe the format delivers and the potential it holds. They also feature rich lossless soundtrack that make a good package even better. No doubt they will be available for retail sell-through at some point in the (hopefully not-too-distant) future, but until then, those fortunate few who just so happen to only now be getting into 3D and who just so happen to choose Samsung products can enjoy this diverse and, save for the absence of bonus features, exemplary 3D trio.

Does my arm look longer in 3D?

Galapagos
Rating: 4.5/5

We may know more about outer space than we do our own planet.

There are but a few names that resonante through the Scientific community -- from the tongues of elementary school students all the way to seasoned professors and professionals -- with the same sense of awe, wonder, and respect than that of Charles Darwin. The famed expeditionary/adventurer/naturalist/ and writer of On the Origin of Species revolutionized the scientific world with his theories on evolution and natural selection that would ultimately become cornerstones of accepted scientific advancements and influence a plethora of further ideas and hypotheses in the decades following his research. It all began in 1831 when Darwin traveled to the Galapagos Islands -- situated some 600 miles off the Western Coast of South America -- on the HMS Beagle and hypothesized through his extensive observations of the local populations the likelihood that species do not remain stagnant but instead over the course of time evolve to better suit their needs within their environments, ideas that would ultimately come to be known as his theories of evolution and natural selection.

1999's Galapagos stars the Smithsonian Institute's Dr. Carole Baldwin as she aims to retrace Darwin's footsteps and study the creatures who call the famed archipelago home. A self-proclaimed lifelong Darwin fan and herself a scientist interested in natural discovery and species evolution, Baldwin and several fellow scientists descend on the territory that made Darwin famous in hopes of seeing firsthand not only the natural wonders the islands have to offer, but to see for themselves the evidence that persuaded Darwin to pen his own theories that would ultimately become scientific mainstays. Baldwin's adventure begins on land where she spies several of the same species observed by Darwin, but with that she's only scratching the surface -- literally -- of what she hopes to accomplish. Joined by dive expert Mathias Espinosa, Baldwin boards a radically-advanced submersible designed for scientific research and specimen collection and explores the depths of the waters around the islands, seeking out species never-before seen nor studied by man.

Galapagos is an excellent little IMAX feature that's not only easily-digestible considering its succinct 39-minute runtime, but highly entertaining and, even better, educational. Baldwin's observations are neither stuffy nor complicated; she engages her audience with talk that's easy to understand and highly supportive of the lush and, sometimes, incredible footage seen throughout the film. Galapagos revels in breathtaking photography both above the surface and deep within the watery depths around the islands. The evolutionary theories posited by Darwin and championed by Baldwin are supported by amazing visuals of various land and sea creatures as they exist in their natural habitats, their distinct advantages and differences from others of their kind readily evident in the way they carry themselves and go about the business of survival on the island. The film is comprised of one breathtaking scene after another -- enhanced by the splendor of the striking IMAX 3D photography -- and things only get more visually stimulating when the action shifts underwater, though one can't help but to feel for the creatures that are sucked up onto the vessel through what amounts to a glorified vacuum cleaner. Nevertheless, that the imagery throughout Galapagos is so gorgeous and the information shared in it so wonderfully related makes this a winner that's as suitable for the classroom as it is a harmless and educational family viewing experience.

Into the Deep
Rating: 3.5/5

The endless flux of ruin and renewal of life itself.

The Earth's oceans are home to exotic creatures and curious ecosystems that seem like something straight from another world of marvelous wonders. They provide evidence of the dazzling works of nature and offer to those few fortunate humans who have the opportunity to see them firsthand an education in creation and the very nature of things quite unlike anything that's to be seen on the Earth's surface and up amongst her clouds in the skies. With the miraculous advent of underwater camera systems; deep sea diving apparatuses; and now, high definition video and 3D technologies, anyone with a Blu-ray player and full HD 3D television set can dive deep into the darkest depths that exist on this planet to see in almost all its splendor the vastness of a whole new world that exists beyond the realm of man in his natural state. Whether it's the technology that can capture this extraordinary world or that the undersea world does indeed exist, flourish, and with every new technological advance reveal more and more radically unique species is the greater marvel is best left to each viewer to decide; either way, films like Into the Deep are wonders to behold if only for their demonstration of both man's and nature's most incredible achievements.

Into the Deep, directed by Howard Hall and narrated by Kate Nelligan, takes viewers far underneath the Pacific waters off of California's coastline for an incredible journey of discovery that uses the latest advancements in underwater photography to capture the everyday life of the diverse and wondrous creatures that thrive in one of the planet's most exciting ecosystems. The film focuses on the species that exist around the local kelp forest, the dense underwater plants that, in some areas, grow as tall as office buildings and are home to a diverse selection of creatures that all find within the forest's jungly boundaries all they need to survive and thrive. This IMAX film showcases the various dynamics at work as defined by the creatures that call the forest home, including Garibaldi fish, Sheep crab, Sarcastic fringeheads, Sunflower starfish, and Sea lions. The film also captures the molting process of lobsters whereby they shed their tough exoskeleton to allow for further growth, and the effect of Sea urchins on the kelp forest itself.

While its subject matter is nothing short of fascinating and its visuals almost as good, Into the Deep nevertheless suffers from a somewhat dry and stiff presentation and a lack of flow that lessens the more abstract merits of the movie but in no way minimizes the dazzling footage contained therein. At several junctures the film utilizes lighter music to capture a more playful theme -- particularly during the segment that covers the Sarcastic fringeheads -- in an effort to bring some life and energy to the proceedings, but even here, the visuals simply overpower the filmmakers' efforts to add a greater sense of completion to the film. Into the Deep works best as a visual tour-de-force of the underwater ecosystem that exists off of California's coastline. The narration is in no way poor or the film's structure all that shoddy, it's just not up to the same level of excellence, seamlessness, and ability to so fully engage its audience in narrative as compared to other IMAX films, particularly the above-reviewed Galapagos. Fortunately, the film is a rousing success where it counts, and as both educational tool and personal or family entertainment that takes its audience to a place of wonder and natural magic, Into the Deep is tough to beat.

Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs
Rating: 4/5

The memory of a good man lives forever.

Ask any schoolboy to provide a list of the handful of subjects he'd like to learn more about, and chances are good that "Egypt" or "Mummies" or some other reference that hearkens back to the days of ancient Egypt, the Pharaohs, mummification, the pyramids, and the like will show up, maybe somewhere between "dinosaurs" and "outer space." If they're desperate for knowledge and a good starting point is required, parents and teachers would be smart to consider Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs, a 2007 Giant Screen film that's part historical recreation, part documentary, and all fun. Rather than simply support its narration with repetitive shots of archaeologists and scientists hard at work as they aim to unearth the truth behind and the potential modern benefits to be found from one of the world's greatest mysteries surrounding one of her greatest civilizations, Mummies supports much of its narrative by recreating several periods of history -- which impress far more than many a cheap low-budget wannabe period movies of the kind -- and brining the time of the pharaohs, the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, and a pivotal scene from modern-day science to vivid visual life. It's the kind of Documentary made for younger audiences with a thirst for knowledge and an appetite for good old fashioned adventure moviemaking, assuming they can handle some of the slightly more disturbing shots of unwrapped mummies and the resultant decay that's seen on well-preserved bodies aged several thousand years.

The ancient Egyptians combed the Earth in search of means and methods of bodily preservation following death in hopes of living on in immortality. Praying to the ancient gods and searching for a balance in life that would lead them to peace and prosperity in the afterlife, Egyptians -- including the Great Rameses and his queen Nefertari -- sought favor in life and death through the preservation of their bodies and the appeasement of the gods, including the goddess Maat. In Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs, Egyptologist Bob Brier goes in search of clues that will lead him to discover the secrets behind the ancient technique of mummification. His colleague, Angelique Corthals, hopes to uncover clues within the very DNA of these ancient humans in hopes of advancing modern medicine. Their search leads viewers on a journey of discovery through time, beginning with the life, times, rituals, and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians. Also examined is the importance of the 1881 discovery of the Rosetta Stone -- the key to deciphering the until-then indecipherable hieroglyphs of millennia past -- and the role of grave robbing in the search for the tombs that housed the greatest Egyptian royalty to ever walk the Earth. It all comes together in 1994 when Scientists unlocked the secret of ancient DNA, leading to the belief that, through the excavation of mummies and the study of the ancient's preservation techniques, modern science could advance in understanding and develop greatly beyond what was otherwise impossible were it not for the greater understanding of the techniques of the ancient Egyptians.

Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs takes a fascinating glimpse into not just the world of ancient Egypt, but how man's understanding of that civilization's techniques for bodily preservation have shaped future generations, whether the profitable profession of grave robbing or the potential for modern-day science to discover crucial breakthroughs in medicine. This is a smartly-produced film that's as entertaining as it is educational; the film finds just the right balance between dry commentary and exciting storytelling, not to mention delivering just as many finely-crafted visuals meant to recreate several crucial periods in the history of mummification and the resultant discoveries that would vastly expand modern man's knowledge base. Though it may be short in length and not quite up to par with big-budget Hollywood fare, Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs proves just as enthralling thanks to its epic feel and quality score that positively bring each segment to vivid life. It's well-written and nicely acted by those who recreate the past, and the modern scientists and archaeologists who play themselves in search of answers to some of history's greatest questions appear not only dedicated but invigorated by the opportunity afforded to them to use this movie as a means of educating the public about the potential that the ancient technique of mummification holds not only as a means of satiating curiosity about the ancient world but in bettering the lives of future generations by better understanding those who came thousands of years before.

Samsung Presents: IMAX 3D Triple Feature Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Galapagos
Rating: 4/5

Galapagos is a sight to behold in full HD 3D. Even through the filter of the 3D glasses, the quality of this IMAX release seems impeccable from a traditional perspective. It sports absolutely amazing detailing; the image is crisp and smooth, deep and clean, with texturing that's practically second-to-none. The image brings out the finest nuances on lizard hides, tortoise shells, rough rock formations, and various grasses with detail and clarity to spare. Many of the picture's images feature textures that are realized to an extent that they beg to be touched, and this Blu-ray is about as close to the real thing as would seem possible. Colors, too, are nothing short of pristine. This is a bold image with a captivating array of hues that are vibrant but grounded in steady and honest contrast. Greens in particular -- grasses and moss seen on a tortoise's shell in one scene -- stand out as pleasantly dynamic. Best yet is the way the transfer captures the natural beauty and color of the waters around the island; surface waters are breathtakingly blue and clean to a level that only seems to anymore exist in the imagination. A few dark cave scenes feature exceptional black levels. Underwater footage takes on a decidedly and understandably heavy blue tint; detail remains strong even through the haze that sometimes permeates the frame. Detail on various fish, underwater vegetation, and terrain all appear sharp and exciting, and what colors manage to extend beyond the heavy blue filter appear natural and nicely rendered. As far as underwater footage goes, Galapagos is tough to beat, and better yet, the film's visuals are only accentuated by a high quality Blu-ray 3D presentation.

Galapagos' 3D elements often look fantastic. The sense of depth in every scene is extraordinary, and a flyover scene as the film opens literally makes the audience feel like they's soaring over the shoreline as mountains, land masses, and water all appear well spaced and natural to a point that traditional 2D photography simply cannot accomplish. On land, a creature's extra-long claws don't appear to protrude from the screen, but they do seem to extend beyond its feet, giving the appearance of absolute realism in terms of spacing and dimension. Several tree branches, on the other hand, do seem to extend beyond the screen, and even the beam emanating from a high-powered flashlight appears to shine directly into the living room during a scene inside a cave. The underwater scenes fare very well, too; depth isn't too terribly reduced, and various objects that float on by the camera appear to do so beyond the limits of the screen. One scene features a school of small fish swimming past a much larger shark; the spacing between them is clearly evident, and the 3D handles both the faster-moving school and the slightly more deliberate shark with equal precision. Even a swimmer's flippers seem to extend beyond the screen, almost threatening to slap the viewer in the face with every kick. For as good as the 3D elements look, there are a few drawbacks. Heavy ghosting is sporadically evident throughout; it's nonexistent here and obvious there, and while it's a distraction -- there's no two ways about it -- it's easier to overlook when the rest of the image is so vibrant, detailed, and deep. With the ghosting comes some bouts with transparent images, where the ghosting effects an object to the point where the whole of the object doesn't seem solid. While the latter is not a regular problem, the ghosting is. The technology could definitely use a few tweaks, but even with the visual shortcomings, one can't help but stare in awe as to how good Galapagos looks when it's working in perfect harmony between the crisp details, exceptional colors, and seamless 3D elements.

Into the Deep
Rating: 3.5/5

Into the Deep submerges onto high definition with a steady and oftentimes impressive full HD 3D Blu-ray presentation. Almost by default, this is a somewhat less-than-spectacular high definition image because of the limitations of the underwater photography and absence of a more robust color scheme. The image is defined by the heavy blue tint created by the surrounding waters, but the various colorful fish and plant life appear very well rendered, oftentimes accompanied by exceptionally strong detailing. Indeed, objects such as sandy and rocky ocean floors and the texture of both a lobster's shedded exoskeleton or the rough hide found on various crabs prove the transfer's most intricately-realized visuals. Reds and oranges seem like the most prominent colors in this area of the Pacific; the bright orange Garibaldi fish in particular make for some sparkling eye candy through the way this 1080p transfer relays their handsome coloring. Blacks that appear as the image stretches back into darkness impress, too. As far as the more traditional high definition elements go, Into the Deep impresses about as well as can be expected given the limitations of the underwater setting.

The transfer's 3D elements are more stunning. The film opens with transparent lettering announcing the Into the Deep title that show water behind them, all offset by an otherwise black screen. Not only does the water appear behind the credits, it seems to be sufficiently beyond the lettering, making for the first of many eye-catching 3D elements. Another opening shot that features the camera sitting just above the water line is particularly impressive; the ocean seems to stretch on to infinity, as if the viewer were looking from surface level towards the horizon. As the focus shifts to showcase life under the water, the 3D presentation doesn't falter. Depth is incredibly strong, as vegetation appears nicely dense and packed schools of fish seem swim across the screen with obvious separation beween the layers. The many creatures seen in the film live, walk, swim, and float around the screen as if the viewer were given a front-row seat to watch as they go about their daily lives. Ghosting is present and severe, but not with any level of consistency. The Garibaldi fish seen at the beginning of the film seem to sometimes have shadows present on either side, but such is the exception to the rule. Transparent images are few and far between, too. Overall, Into the Deep is not as wonderfully colored and detailed as Galapagos, but that's the nature of the image rather than a fault of the transfer. The lessened ghosting also plays a part in making this an even-keeled, but certainly not perfect, full HD 3D Blu-ray presentation.

Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs
Rating: 3.5/5

This 3D Blu-ray release of Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs unearths a good Blu-ray 3D 1080p transfer that's only of a slightly lesser quality than those found on the other two IMAX titles herein reviewed. Detail and coloring are exceptionally strong, as evidenced by the immaculately textured sands, stones, and various Egyptian artifacts scattered throughout the film. The disc captures the sandy tan tint of the desert floor and the golden hues of various elegantly-decorated rooms and sarcophagi extraordinarily well. The image additionally enjoys stable contrast, wonderful clarity, and a smooth but not scrubbed appearance. Unfortunately, softness creeps into the transfer on occasion, and objects that might otherwise appear sharp and strongly detailed are left a bit hazy and indistinct, particularly around the perimeter of the image. Otherwise, this is a stable and honest high definition image, with good blacks, neutral flesh tones, and a fine balance to the overall appearance, even considering the domination of earthen hues.

The transfer's 3D specifications are up the challenge of equalling and, in many ways, bettering the more generalized elements such as detail and coloring. An early scene features a camera near the desert floor that points out towards the horizon; the sands seem to literally stretch off far into the distance, with an obvious depth of field that immediately transports the viewer to the dry locale. This is representative of the massive amount of obvious depth visible throughout the film, as is a scene featuring a wall standing in front of the Sphinx, which is in turn in front of a pyramid; the depth afforded by the 3D presentation allows viewers to effortlessly approximate the distance between the three large elements. At several junctures, a rectangular video box appears to hover over a static background to excellent effect. Unfortunately, the image is still plagued by some unsightly but somewhat irregular ghosting, as well as some sporadic instances of transparency. Otherwise, the strong depth and excellent detailing and colors make this a solid, but not overwhelmingly impressive, full HD 3D Blu-ray transfer.

Samsung Presents: IMAX 3D Triple Feature Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Galapagos
Rating: 4/5

Galapagos evolves onto Blu-ray with a solid DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Though it plays second fiddle to the dazzling visuals, this lossless soundtrack is a fine accompaniment in its own right that manages to make extensive use of the surround channels while delivering a track that's clear enough to allow the imagination to become instantly transported to the Galapagos for a one-of-kind adventure. Not only are the surrounds used in support of both music and sound effects, but the track also delivers a hefty low end that's evident in several scenes as punishing waves pound against various shoreline rock formations; the sound is delivered with an effortlessness and tightness about the low end that makes for a delightfully realistic aural sensation. The film's score is nicely realized not only in terms of the clarity afforded to it by the track, but in the way it's the perfect companion to the picture's visuals, whether capturing the excitement of the journey or the serenity of various locales. This DTS track is winner.

Into the Deep
Rating: 4/5

Into the Deep journeys onto Blu-ray with a high quality DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. What begins as the sound of gently rolling waters innocently filling the soundstage becomes an eruption of sonic excellence as waves unmercifully pound on the shore for one of the most seamless and excitingly real sonic moments found anywhere across this three-film set. As the film settles into its groove and travels underwater to showcase the exotic sea dwellers that call the kelp forest home, this lossless track again impresses through its ability to recreate the sensation of the water pressure found deep under the Pacific's surface, where the speakers feature the constant sound that recreates the feeling of total submersion. The result is invigorating and what one can only imagine -- save for those few who have traveled that deep underwater -- to be a seamless recreation of the sensations that accompany deep water submersion. The track captures varied sound effects, such as a crustacean's crunchy footsteps along the ocean floor, very well. Music enjoys full surround support, and narration is crisp and smooth as it precisely flows from the center channel. This is a fine accompaniment to the picture's 3D visuals.

Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs
Rating: 4/5

A DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack that's typical of a quality Blu-ray presentation accompanies this release of Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs. It features music that finds all the right qualities throughout the entire range, including a strong, pounding low that's a fine accompaniment to the film's many larger-than-life ideas and visuals. Surrounds are used fully and consistently, with some distinct effects and solid imaging often permeating the listening area. Clanking swords, trotting horses, booming thunder, driving rain, and crashing debris are all nicely implemented into the track, with each element playing with a naturalness that helps transport the listener into the various eras and locales seen throughout the movie. The track never wants for clearer dialogue reproduction. Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs only benefits from its quality lossless soundtrack.

Samsung Presents: IMAX 3D Triple Feature Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There are no extras to be found anywhere on the disc.

Samsung Presents: IMAX 3D Triple Feature Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The time to release 3D titles like Galapagos, Into the Deep, and Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs into the wild and available to all 3D owners, regardless of brand choice, loyalty, or time of purchase, is now. Certainly one cannot find fault in bundling specific titles with hardware; that's fine if Samsung wants to offer their buyers a copy of this IMAX trilogy, if Panasonic wants to hand out freebie copies of Avatar, or Sony wants to join forces with Disney to bundle Bolt in with their gear, but to deny the early adopters a chance to own these great titles seems like a fine way to only stymie the growth of this format, not encourage it. Bundling in free titles and still affording buyers of other-branded gear the opportunity to purchase those same titles at consumer-friendly retail prices will bring both profit and attention to the format; or at least one would think so. Maybe these manufacturer's employ economists who believe otherwise -- and one can't fault the companies for doing what they feel will maximize their profits -- but the people demand these titles, and they demand them now. It will be interesting to see the state and viability of Blu-ray 3D in six months, a year, and further down the road; will exclusives kill or severely cripple adoption, or will releases like this IMAX trilogy merely be a footnote on the way to wide adoption and stunning success for the format? Either way, those who have the opportunity to see this disc will find much to love about the wonderful full HD 3D presentations and the included lossless soundtracks. The absence of extras is no great loss on a bundled-exclusive release such as this, but hopefully should these titles see a wide release in the future they'll including some extras of note. This disc deserve a hearty recommendation, but it kind of defeats the point of a recommendation if nobody can buy it.