Up close and personal with the largest animal on Earth is the chief appeal of "Whales", the latest IMAX offering to open at Exposition Park in Los Angeles. Whale-watchers will delight in this educational and often enthralling depiction of those mammals, some of which are nearly twice as heavy as the largest-known dinosaur.
Unfortunately, it's not IMAX-amatic that bigness makes for the most exciting usage of the IMAX film capabilities. Essentially, what beaches "Whales" is that while close-up shots of the grayishly coated mammals are initially captivating, the novelty will likely wear off for those who aren't truly whale-lovers. While the cinematography is breathtakingly beautiful, particularly in its vast scopings of the great blue oceans, it is, after a while, somewhat repetitive. Indeed, the IMAX process is at its most invigorating and illuminating when the visual stimulation is varied and packed -- a whale fin in the midst of a blue sea on a screen the size of a city building soon is, essentially, a picture, not a moving picture. After a while, one is lulled by not only the cadence of the sea but the predictability of the visuals -- whales spouting, fins flapping -- not much else.
Still, there's plenty of delightful rhythms and visualizations in this thoughtful, intelligent production, including a homey dance between a mother humpback and her calf. Truly, there's some wonderfully playful and educational segments in "Whales", and the writers (Dr. Roger Payne, Mose Richards, Dr. Leighton Taylor) are to be commended for their savvy blend of information and entertainment. A triumvirate of directors (David Clark, Al Giddings, Dr. Roger Payne) has energized "Whales" with some forceful, cinematic rhythms. Especially exciting are the subjective scopings when we're taken underwater, directly into the deep and murky world of these magnificent creatures.
"Whales" spouts surest when enhanced by the vigorous and powerful sound design. Special praise goes to Jim McKee and Earwax Prods. for the haunting and beautiful sound textures, clueing us to the life forces below what seems a tranquil and dull blue sea.
WHALES
The National Wildlife Federation Endowment
and the National Science Foundation
Producers Christopher Palmer, David Clark
Directors David Clark, Al Giddings,
Dr. Roger Payne
Executive producer Richard James
Executives in charge of production Ed Capelle, Tom Casper, Chat Reynders
Screenwriters Dr. Roger Payne,
Mose Richards, Dr. Leighton Taylor
Directors of photography Al Giddings,
Andy Kitzanuk, Paul Mockler
Editor James Lahti
Sound designers Jim McKee,
Earwax Prods. Inc.
Sound mixer Skywalker Sound
Running time -- 43 minutes...
Unfortunately, it's not IMAX-amatic that bigness makes for the most exciting usage of the IMAX film capabilities. Essentially, what beaches "Whales" is that while close-up shots of the grayishly coated mammals are initially captivating, the novelty will likely wear off for those who aren't truly whale-lovers. While the cinematography is breathtakingly beautiful, particularly in its vast scopings of the great blue oceans, it is, after a while, somewhat repetitive. Indeed, the IMAX process is at its most invigorating and illuminating when the visual stimulation is varied and packed -- a whale fin in the midst of a blue sea on a screen the size of a city building soon is, essentially, a picture, not a moving picture. After a while, one is lulled by not only the cadence of the sea but the predictability of the visuals -- whales spouting, fins flapping -- not much else.
Still, there's plenty of delightful rhythms and visualizations in this thoughtful, intelligent production, including a homey dance between a mother humpback and her calf. Truly, there's some wonderfully playful and educational segments in "Whales", and the writers (Dr. Roger Payne, Mose Richards, Dr. Leighton Taylor) are to be commended for their savvy blend of information and entertainment. A triumvirate of directors (David Clark, Al Giddings, Dr. Roger Payne) has energized "Whales" with some forceful, cinematic rhythms. Especially exciting are the subjective scopings when we're taken underwater, directly into the deep and murky world of these magnificent creatures.
"Whales" spouts surest when enhanced by the vigorous and powerful sound design. Special praise goes to Jim McKee and Earwax Prods. for the haunting and beautiful sound textures, clueing us to the life forces below what seems a tranquil and dull blue sea.
WHALES
The National Wildlife Federation Endowment
and the National Science Foundation
Producers Christopher Palmer, David Clark
Directors David Clark, Al Giddings,
Dr. Roger Payne
Executive producer Richard James
Executives in charge of production Ed Capelle, Tom Casper, Chat Reynders
Screenwriters Dr. Roger Payne,
Mose Richards, Dr. Leighton Taylor
Directors of photography Al Giddings,
Andy Kitzanuk, Paul Mockler
Editor James Lahti
Sound designers Jim McKee,
Earwax Prods. Inc.
Sound mixer Skywalker Sound
Running time -- 43 minutes...
- 2/21/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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