Wild Ocean 3D (IMAX)

Wild Ocean 3D is the IMAX 3-D production highlighting one of nature's greatest migration spectacles, plunging viewers into an underwater feeding frenzy, an epic struggle for survival, where whales, sharks, dolphins, seals, gannets, and billions of fish collide with the most voracious sea predator, mankind. Beautifully filmed off the Wild Coast of South Africa and set to the rhythm of the local people, the film reveals the economic and cultural impact of the ocean, while celebrating the communal efforts to protect our invaluable marine resources. This is where Africa meets the sea. Narrated by John Kani. (Gary Reber)

Special features include an interview with the directors, "Kwazulu Natal" during the sardine run (HD 15:56), a behind-the-scenes feature (HD 08:39), "Recording Wild Ocean" (HD 02:23), "Shooting Wild Ocean" (HD 07:13), trailers, and BD-Live functionality.

The 1.85:1 1080p MVC 3-D picture is superb! Image Entertainment worked with Big Picture to optimize the 3-D image for home viewing, scanning the original 15/70 image at a minimum of 5.6K, and in some cases, 8K resolution. Sponsored and presented by Nokia, the pre-show animated short that encourages energy conservation and recycling is plagued with double image ghosting artifacts, though, the 3-D effect displays a wonderful sense of depth between the different animation layers. The feature itself was shot with Pace Technologies and IMAX HD 3-D camera systems and exhibits revealing detail during the land surface and underwater sequences. Close-ups of people, marine life, and object textures on the land surface are clearly focused, though, faint ghosting is discernible throughout in vertical outlines. The color palette is nicely saturated but consistently natural in tonal character, with rich and warm hues. The locals' clothing and the fishermen's boats are strongly hued and pop. Contrast is excellent, with blacks that are deep and solid. Some village and coastal cliff scenes are incredibly dimensional, with depth and perspective perception that is dramatic. The underwater views capture the seemingly endless expanse of the ocean and the impressive spherical shape of massive shoals of sardines in "bait ball" formation, as they swim in circular rotation. Larger sea mammals and sharks appear dimensional and offset against the swarming sardines. The sense of natural depth and scale is impressive as we witness the frenzy in glorious 3D. While the 3D is perfectly satisfying throughout, the faint ghosting can detract. Still, this is a wonderful 3-D experience that enhances the realism of being there. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is distinguished by the wonderful African music that is heard prominently throughout. The music projects a sweeping soundstage presence but generally subtle surround envelopment. Driven by various tribal rhythms, the sound is full, though, at times the low end of the spectrum sounds muddled. Bass is deep and full sounding throughout. Atmospheric and sound effects engage the senses, to support the 3-D imagery, and are nicely energized in the surround channels at appropriate moments. The sounds that create the sense of underwater submersion are often dramatic, particularly during the feeding frenzy on the shoal of sardines. John Kani's narration sounds natural, though, at times the level is lower than desirable. Overall, this is a wonderful soundtrack, with roots in African rhythms that perfectly complements the 3D. (Gary Reber)