7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.4 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Wild Ocean is an uplifting cinematic experience capturing one of nature's greatest migration spectacles through the magic of IMAX. Plunge into an underwater feeding frenzy amidst the dolphins, sharks, whales, gannets, seals and billions of fish. Filmed off the Wild Coast of South Africa, Wild Ocean is a timely documentary that celebrates the animals that now depend on us to survive and the efforts by local people to protect this invaluable ecological resource. Hope is alive on the Wild Coast where Africa meets the sea.
Director: Luke Cresswell, Steve McNicholasDocumentary | 100% |
Nature | 85% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
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)
BD-Live
Blu-ray 3D
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
What can we do to keep our oceans alive?
Brimming with underwater excitement, filled with educational value, and boasting a 3D presentation that's about as good as any out there, Wild
Ocean
3D is an exceptional documentary that's both entertaining and informative as it takes viewers on a journey of discovery that reveals an ecosystem
quite unlike anything else found on Earth. Narrated by South African native John Kani, Wild Ocean 3D brings to life the happenings in the
natural
food chain along South Africa's southern and eastern shore line where shoals of sardines maneuver towards the wild coast where they are the source
of protein for any number of predators, including dolphins, sharks, and man. Though a natural occurrence and an event that's played out hundreds of
times over, the damage done both by shifting climates and man's overabundance of catches threaten to disrupt the phenomenon and break the food
chain that's sustained life both in the waters and on the land of Africa's coastline for centuries. Directed by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas,
Wild Ocean 3D offers a worthwhile exploration of nature at its most amazingly rudimentary level while also cautioning as to the repercussions
of the natural and manmade threats that could disrupt or, worse yet, destroy this fragile but necessary annual pilgrimage of sardines.
The "bait ball" appears even more spherical in 3D.
Wild Ocean sports a wonderfully rich and nearly faultless 1080p Blu-ray 3D transfer that easily ranks as one of the finest among the
admittedly
limited full HD 3D titles currently on the market. For live action titles, the list is even more narrow and Wild Ocean even closer to the top, if
not
the current champion. The film actually opens with a brief animated short that encourages energy conservation and recycling; though the animation
is rather crude
and
the colors limited, the 3D effect proves dazzling with every passing frame, sporting an incredible sense of depth between the different layers of the
animation process. This little piece makes for a fun diversion and an excellent demo of 3D's capabilities,
particularly considering its unique look amongst the currently-released Blu-ray 3D titles. As for Wild Ocean proper, it excels at every turn.
The
film's
detailing is exceptional; underwater shots lack precision detailing and colors are, of course, influenced heavily by the water's blue tint, but both
attributes
prove breathtaking during the many surface and land sequences. Various sand sculptures showcase almost infinite detailing; the 1080p transfer
reveals
the
texture of the shaped sand to an extraordinary level, not to mention the sense of depth afforded to each shape by the immaculate 3D visuals. Such
strong detailing remains throughout; whether roughly-textured rock formations, cliffs, grasses, or manmade objects such as boats, clothes, and
netting,
there's no shortage of eye-catching and pristinely-rendered detailing around the frame. Colors are also well-balanced, seen primarily in clothing and
boats. The image reveals some light banding, slight shimmering on one metallic object, and some chunky but minimal blocking around the darker
corners of the underwater imagery. Otherwise, Wild Ocean excels in its traditional attributes, and the 3D elements allow this transfer to soar.
One of the first shots in Wild Ocean features old sepia-toned and black-and-white photographs set against a static background; the images
seem to literally hover off the screen while the background remains relatively flat, giving off a breathtaking layered appearance that's one of what are
to
be many interesting and jaw-dropping 3D moments crammed into the 42-minute feature. The above-ground shots seem almost too easy to
compliment; one would only expect an overhead shot of a great waterfall to appear as if the water was rushing deep down into the bowels of the
television set, or that various coastal environments -- including wonderfully-shaped and dimensional waves -- would offer an easily-discernible sense of
depth in 3D. There's no questioning that Wild
Ocean excels during its many out-of-water segments; the true test comes when the cameras are submerged and tasked with filming aquatic life
with the same sense of spectacle and awe the 3D imagery affords to the surface shots. Fortunately, Wild Ocean easily accomplishes this task
and offers 3D viewers some exceptional underwater footage that's probably the next-best thing to strapping on a tank and scuba-diving off of Africa's
southeastern shores. Shoals of sardines -- particularly while in "bait ball" formation -- appear with extraordinary depth and spacing, even as they
swim
rapidly around the frame. Larger sea dwellers, such as the dolphins and sharks seen throughout the film, appear to swim straight out of the television
set as their elongated bodies hurtle towards the camera, giving them a breathtaking feel of great length and size.
Perhaps best of all, and adding to the true sense of space that's evident with every
underwater segment, is another one of those more nuanced elements that truly brings the 3D effect to life. Small, inconsequential bubbles often float
around the frame, sometimes in large clusters close to the camera, and at other times only several individuals floating about at some distance. Either
way, their size and shape allow for some of the more fascinating 3D elements in the movie. They enhance the sense of depth and natural space
around the screen, and those larger clusters closer to the screen seem to float on by well in front of the television screen for what is arguably the
most satisfying 3D effect in the entire film. With only a minimal
"ghosting effect" visible on playback utilizing Panasonic's first-generation equipment, Wild Ocean is an unexpected frontrunner for best
live-action Blu-ray 3D image of the year. Please note that all screenshots presented in this review are captured from the 2D version of Wild
Ocean that's included on this 3D disc.
Wild Ocean's DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack understandably takes a back seat to the impressive 3D visuals, but this is a quality audio presentation that in several instances is the match for the 1080p Blu-ray 3D transfer. This mix is loud and entertainingly aggressive though it occasionally plays as ever-so-slightly mushy, particularly around the low end of the sometimes thunderous tribal beats that enchant the listener while playing primarily off to the sides and giving the sound equipment a punishing workout. Narration is crisp, effective, and consistently centered about the middle front portion of the soundstage. Bass tightens up a bit as several powerful effects -- such as crashing waves pounding on coastal rock formations -- send plenty of precise and focused energy into the listening area. The surround channels come alive in support of screeching birds, various underwater elements, and the general pressure that recreates the sensation of the below-the-surface settings. The back channels are used extensively but not purposelessly, supporting various environments and effects without dominating the experience. The added sound effects that replicate something akin to a battle scene from a War film are nicely reproduced during one of the picture's climactic segments as various species lay siege to the shoal of sardines; sound zips and zooms all over the soundstage to mesmerizing effect, and it's the perfect compliment to the amazingly insane visuals. It's easy to become lost in this disc's exceptional visuals and forget all about the soundtrack, but just when the 3D has taken over, Image's wonderful DTS-HD MA 5.1 track pulls the audience right back in for some more quality listening.
Wild Ocean contains a nice assortment of complimentary and, primarily, 2D extras. Interview with Directors (1080p, 15:56) features Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas discussing their careers as filmmakers and moving on to share the history of their work on Wild Ocean, including the challenges of the shoot, the process of shooting in 3D, the history of sardine runs around the world, and the importance of the messages delivered through the film. Kwazulu Natal During the Run (1080p, 6:31) offers viewers a candid glimpse into life in the African province during the annual sardine run. Behind the Scenes (1080p, 8:39) more closely examines the process of shooting Wild Ocean. This supplement features no narration or interview clips and consistes of only raw on-the-set footage. Next is Recording 'Wild Ocean' (1080p, 2:23), an all-too-short glimpse into the process of scoring the film, again sans interviews or narration. Shooting 'Wild Ocean' (1080p, 7:13) delivers a series of still photographs chronicling the shoot. Also included is BD-Live functionality; a pair of 2D (1080p, 1:46, 3:33) and one 3D (1080p, 1:46) trailers for Wild Ocean; 2D and 3D trailers for Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs (1080p, 1:54 & 1:52, respectively); a 2D trailer for Dinosaurs Alive (1080p, 1:22), and a 2D trailer for Pulse (1080p, 1:56).
Who would have though that a 42-minute Documentary on the life of migratory sardines could make for such captivating moviemaking? Wild Ocean does just that, the picture an exhibition of everything that makes the modern Nature Documentary such an amazing technical, thematic, and entertaining feat of cinema. Accentuated by a superb 3D presentation and delivering an even-handed message about the importance of maintaining balance in a delicate ecosystem, Wild Ocean proves to be a worthwhile watch on several fronts; whether for its strong visuals, captivating story, or timely plea for help, most audience members should find something to love about this rich IMAX 3D presentation. Image Entertainment's Blu-ray 3D release of Wild Ocean sports one of the best high definition 3D images around, supported by a quality lossless soundtrack and a fine assortment of extras. Best of all? It's not tied to any hardware; 3D owners of any brand may purchase this disc through Amazon exclusively until December 7, 2010, and it will afterwards go on sale at most other major retailers. Highly recommended.
IMAX
2007
IMAX
2008
IMAX
2007
2011
IMAX
2010
IMAX
2007
IMAX
2006
IMAX
2009
2010
IMAX
1999
IMAX Enhanced
2002
IMAX
2010
IMAX
1994
2011
2010
2008
2003
2011
2004
2011