Magnificent Desolation:
Walking on the Moon 3D
Not completely magnificent, but as detailed a look at walking on the moon
that one can hope to get without actually going there!
3 stars [(2005)docu-USA/Playtone-IMAX] - (40 min.)
Co-written & directed by Mark Cowen
Co-writer: Christopher G. Cowen
Director of photography: Sean MacLeod Phillips
Production designer: Charles Lee
Music: James Newton Howard & Blake Neely
Editor: William Schinski
Co-writer and narrator: Tom Hanks
Review:
During his brief stay on the lunar surface, 'Apollo 11' astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the 2nd man to walk on the moon following Neil Armstrong, described the treeless, sandy landscape as "magnificent desolation." It is this and other observations from all 12 men who have walked on the moon that frame this rather unique movie experience.
Parents may have to note to the kids that many of the scenes in this new IMAX presentation are amazing CGI re-creations that almost completely capture the wonder of the moon's topography (not to mention the amazing starfield view that the moon offers), especially since much of the NASA archive footage is minimized into panels across the screen.
One other parental note, there is extraneous scene that may be troubling for sensitive, younger audiences as it involves a 'simulated' emergency with two astronauts in jeopardy. It demonstrates how the astronauts were trained to overcome a 'rover' crash if one occurred (luckily, no one was ever injured while on the moon).
Sadly, the forty minute length of the presentation prevents a comprehensive investigation of the Apollo program or the after-effects of moonwalking, but all-in-all this will be an excellent, though brief, stay at the movies for both parents and their youngsters. The parents will be able to recall the wondrous images that were once broadcast on television while the kids can now finally learn the difference between Lance Armstrong and Neil Armstrong.
"One small step" this movie may be in the history of space on film, but it does offer a glimpse of how future sci-fi cinema could be greatly enhanced in 3D on a screen of IMAX proportions. George Lucas has already heard the call and is supposedly working on re-creating his epic 'Star Wars' dramas in this format, so while this SHORT may not completely satisfy sci-fi fans it does act as a preview of coming attractions that hint at amazing and exciting giant-screen experiences to come.
Check it out family auds, this IMAX format is the future of the movies and our support will only bring bigger and better films to these 8-story high screens.
(c) Reviewed by Gary Cabana [THEreelreviewer.com] in 2005 at an IMAX theater
__________________________
Astronaut quotations voiced by:
Morgan Freeman, John Travolta, Matt Damon, Paul Newman, Scott Glenn, John Corbett, Bryan Cranston, Rick Gomez, Frank John Hughes, James Irwin, Neal McDonough, Tim Matheson, Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Barry Pepper, Kevin Pollak, Peter Scolari, Gary Sinise, Donnie Wahlberg, & Rita Wilson
Re-enactment characters/Cast
Astronaut William Grace (1st re-enactment) - Garrison Hershberger
Astronaut James Irwin (riding 'rover' re-enactment) - Aaron White
Astronaut Dave Scott (riding rover) - Andrew Husmann
Veronica Lugo (Future astronaut) - Brandy Blackledge
Archive quotations from Apollo astronauts (in their own voices):
Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11), Neil Armstrong (Apollo 11), Alan Bean (Apollo 12), Eugene Cernan (Apollo 17), Charles 'Pete' Conrad (Apollo 12), Charles Duke (Apollo 16), James Irwin (Apollo 15), Edgar D. Mitchell (Apollo 14), Jack Schmitt (Apollo 17), Dave Scott (Apollo 15), Alan Shepard (Apollo 14), & John Young (Apollo 16)
MOVIE website
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Still playing in IMAX theaters (2010 RE-release)!!!
[On DVD now]
January 29, 2010
HELD OVER
IMAX Dome at Cradle of Aviation Museum (Garden City,NY)
Airbus IMAX Theater (Chantilly,VA/Continues thru March 4th)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++