Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Space Junk 3D Blu-ray Movie Review

Endangered orbits...

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown October 21, 2013

With Alfonso Cuarón's Gravity topping the box office charts for a third consecutive weekend, it seemed fitting to finally carve out some time to review Space Junk 3D, a 3D IMAX film from Melrae Pictures that focuses on the expanding ring of debris currently orbiting the planet and the potential disaster-in-the-making NASA scientists have long feared. Traveling at 17,000 miles per hour, it only takes a single piece of man-made orbital debris to set off a destructive chain reaction. It's a dramatic sequence in Gravity, and it's a dramatic threat in Space Junk 3D; one that's unfortunately, even alarmingly, all too real.

Narrated by actor Tom Wilkinson and directed by Melissa Butts, Space Junk 3D first touches on the source of the problem: rockets, satellites and installations go up but never come down. And with thousands of tons of debris circling the Earth at incredibly high speeds -- some of it operational, some of it crucial, but most of it literal junk that hasn't served a purpose in decades -- and with more launched each year, it's only a matter of time before the various nightmare scenarios becomes an inevitably... and then a reality. The documentary deals with the threat responsibly, inching from the source of the problem toward explaining exactly what would happen should a collision occur. Lest things grow too doom and gloom, though, the documentary soon moves into possible solutions to the problem. Naturally those solutions are dependent upon international awareness; something Space Junk 3D hopes to raise.

Of course a box office hit and award-winning masterpiece like Gravity will undoubtedly accomplish far more in that regard than a much too short, at-times surface-skimming 37-minute IMAX documentary. Space Junk's heart is in the right place, and its science and presentation is sound, but like many IMAX docs, it serves as an accessible introduction to its chosen topic rather than an in-depth study. Had more time been devoted to the ideas and technologies currently being developed to address the growing debris field, the film might have amounted to more than a lengthy PSA. Instead, it spends a bit too much time upping its accessibility (it is after all designed with families and museum crowds in mind), a bit too much time repeating itself, and too little time elaborating on the international community's response (or apathy) toward the looming devastation. Still, the fact that the documentary doesn't overstay its welcome -- or worse, invoke an apocalyptic tone -- allows it to remain grounded at all times; something that can't be said of most documentaries tasked with raising awareness of a calamity that can only be avoided if mankind comes together and cleans up its mess.

Space Junk 3D Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Space Junk features a rather striking 1080p/MVC-encoded presentation, regardless of whether you watch the film in 2D or 3D. Colors are bright and vivid, the black of space is deep and ominous, contrast is consistent, and detail is exacting. Computer-generated sequences and models are crisp and nicely defined (despite the presence of inherent aliasing, which creeps into the hyper-sharp CG from time to time), and the occasional Earthbound shots don't disappoint either. The 3D experience is arguably even better, although technically just as proficient. Objects appear to float atop the surface of the screen, debris fields extend convincingly into the distance, and the image exhibits notable pop, especially compared to a few of the lesser 3D IMAX titles on the market. Ghosting will prove to be a bit of an issue for some (specifically those whose 3D displays are prone to crosstalk), as some of the more littered shots include small pieces of junk that don't quite come together as well as they could. That said, it's a minor distraction that shouldn't spoil the proceedings in any significant way.

Space Junk 3D Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Space Junk 3D lifts off with an unexpectedly satisfying DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. Actor Tom Wilkinson's narration is intelligible, weighty and perfectly prioritized at all times, and other voices are just as clean and clear. The LFE channel delivers some rather rousing shuttle launches, collisions and other low-end flourishes too, while the rear speakers are used to lively (albeit limited) effect. There are even a few directional surprises and smooth pans to be had. Obviously it all tends to be rather front-heavy when Wilkinson speaks -- I wouldn't call the ensuing soundfield immersive or enveloping per se -- but as IMAX documentaries go, Space Junk's lossless mix is anything but junk.

Space Junk 3D Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview with Tom Wilkinson (HD, 2 minutes): Narrator Tom Wilkinson briefly discusses his involvement in the documentary and his interest in space debris and the clean-up methods currently being proposed.
• Behind the Scenes (SD, 3 minutes): A quick look at the making of Space Junk 3D.
• Photo Gallery (HD, 1 minute): A montage of behind-the-scenes photos.
• Trailers (HD/SD): Previews are available for Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D, Legends of Flight 3D, Dinosaurs Alive 3D, Wild Ocean 3D, Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs 3D, Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia 3D, Rescue 3D, Space Junk 3D and Sun 3D.

Space Junk 3D Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Gravity depicted what could happen if debris began colliding and spreading across low-Earth orbit. And while the two aren't officially related, Space Junk 3D delves into the science behind such a disaster, as well as some of the ideas currently being considered around the world that might address the mounting orbital debris problem before it has the opportunity to become a disaster. It's a solid IMAX documentary, even if, like most, it's a bit too short to cover as much ground as I'd prefer. Image Entertainment's 3D Blu-ray release is even better, with a strong video presentation, above average 3D documentary experience, and a decidedly decent DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track.