Customer Reviews

Galapagos (IMAX) [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

If for you the remarkable things about the galapagos include the iguanas, tortoises, and finches, you will be disappointed in this program. After a cursory glance at the earth- and air-borne species, the camera goes underwater and examines fish. The imagery is lovely, but we are NOT seeing those creatures which have made the galapagos famous! A fairer title would have been "OCEAN ENVIRONMENTS AROUND THE GALAPAGOS AREA."

No quibbles with the glory of the presented creatures, but we had been expecting much more about what makes these islands unique!

I agree with the other reviewers that this should be entitled 'Underwater life around the Galapagos'. The movie spends far too much time underwater instead of focusing on the magnificent scenery and wildlife on land. Why can't the IMAX producers simply let the gorgeous images of wildlife speak for themselves instead of dreaming up a tacky storyline about a beautiful marine biologist and her oh so dangerous explorations? At one point she rappels down into a cave and worries about the possibility that the rocks above her will collapse. I was in the Galapagos last month and visited the same cave (on the island of Santa Cruz) - what they don't tell you is that there are stairs into the cave from the other end! The naturalist guides we spoke with in the Galapagos regard the IMAX movie as a joke, all the sadder because members of the IMAX team died making the film.

Used to some great IMAX productions, I was very keen on seeing this production, but was very disapointed with the cinematic result of such a large and costly undertaking. The production was marred with challenges, including reduced flora and fauna after a devastating El Nino and the tragic death of two team members. I fully understand that these and other circumstances diminished the amount of quality footage the crew was able to obtain during their 8 weeks in the Enchanted Islands, however, I would have hoped for a documentary that truly introduces these natural marvels to the viewers instead of focusing on a very superficial plot of a marine biologist getting her thrills in exploring the deep ocean floor surrounding the islands in a submarine. There is so much to tell and show about these islands that a one hour program will never be able to do it justice, however I would have expected a better effort in documenting the uniqueness of the flora and fauna and the history of the islands, including the dangers presented to them through fishing, over population and introduced species. I sincerely hope that in the near future a producer finds the courage to do these islands justice by returning with an IMAX team to film a documentary that will allow the world to share the wonders of the Enchanted Islands - maybe he will want to call it "IMAX - Galapagos Revisited"

The title is misleading - it is not about Galapagos Islands, as I expected but mainly shows boring underwater pictues. I do not recommend buying this DVD. It the same waste of money that I suffered buying IMAX Antarctica.

I was disappointed with this movie. The director had an interesting, unique environment he could have pointed his camera toward - the island's vegetation and wildlife are the two things I had hoped to see. Instead the first half of the movie is focused on a woman biologist's bare legs, and the second half is focused on the people and the sub retrieving deep water marine life.

Perhaps the film is targeted toward younger audiences which the director feels can't assimilate more than a few species of animals, birds, and fish.

For an IMAX feast for the eyes, I recommend Amazon. It's scenic and informative.

If for you the remarkable things about the galapagos include the iguanas, tortoises, and finches, you will be disappointed in this program. After a cursory glance at the earth- and air-borne species, the camera goes underwater and examines fish. The imagery is lovely, but we are NOT seeing those creatures which have made the galapagos famous! A fairer title would have been "OCEAN ENVIRONMENTS AROUND THE GALAPAGOS AREA."

No quibbles with the glory of the presented creatures, but we had been expecting much more about what makes these islands unique!

The Galapagos Islands are located off the coast of Ecuador and is the site that Charles Darwin visited in 1835, viewing some of the marine life from a glass bottom boat. His observations on these islands formed the basis for his eventual theory of evolution. Now, all these years later, a marine biologist from the Smithsonian Institute, Dr. Carole Baldwin, makes the same trip. Darwin would have been amazed at all the technological equipment she has, and even more amazed if he could have viewed it as I did, in startling three dimension.

We saw it on a screen that was 80 feet high, and the three dimensional effect was so intense that I kept trying to reach out and touch the rocks and small birds that always appeared in the foreground. It was distracting at first, so distracting that I was more impressed with the technique than with what was actually going on in the film. But within a few minutes I was right there with the scientists, literally inside the picture as they climbed the rock mountains and descended into the ocean's deep in a submersible boat that seemed to come straight out of science fiction, not real science.

I was fascinated throughout the 40-minute film as the camera went where humans have never been before, filming sea lions, iguanas, giant tortoises, birds and lizards and using a special device to capture live sea creatures from the bottom of the sea. I felt I was climbing the lava rock mountain, descending into caves, and feeling the brush of foliage against my face. And the whole time I kept wondering how it was done, and enjoying the fact that I live at a time in history that a voyage to Galapagos can be enjoyed so much because of modern technology.

I did some research on the web later and discovered that during the filming a cameraman and a pilot died when their lightweight plane crashed on a volcano, and realize the dangers that it took to make this film. Then I went to the official website and found more details about the technical aspects as well as some excellent photographs. Recommended. See it if you can.

An okay film - beautiful shots of the islands, animals, vegetation, etc. However, that's all that it's good for - the "story" is boring, and completely redundant. Unless you're *really* into the islands or something, I suggest another IMAX DVD instead - "Beavers." Now, that's a great movie.

The film was wonderful! The backgroud music is flawlessly matched with the wonderfully crisp photography. The only reason I did not award it a five was that I wish Darwin could have played a larger role; although, he was mentioned several times. Without my bias it would be a five. I liked that the movie focused on a female scientist which is still the exception for nature videos these days. I would highly recomend this film for any age group from elementary to college. For the price, it would be tough if not impossible to find and equal.

The movie was a little disappointing. We had hoped for so much more information but it just wasn't there. The scenery was spectacular and I did learn about the Galapagos but it did not live up to what I was hoping for.