Dream Big: Engineering Our World (2017) User Reviews

Interesting but not informative

[debbie-122-54138 · 6/10 · 31 May 2020]

The 8/10 review by Jollen has a comprehensive review of the programme and I recommend reading this too.

I have though rated this 6 based on the information (4) and the scenery (2). The programme is 42 minutes long but doesn't actually start until 5 minutes in. Jeff Bridges is not a great narrator, his voice isn't overly clear and I had to listen intently.

All the segments are led by female engineers, which must have been the intention. This aside, there is some interesting information and encouragement to become an engineer, the latter again no doubt the reason for the programme. I did find the programme engaging overall.

The less positive: The second segment, which is based in Africa, has an African style song. This song is used in each successive segment and no longer fits with the style of what we are being shown. Some of the segments should be longer or should not be included at all. We are shown the Great Wall of China but more time is given to what it looks like than to how it was made or remains standing. The last segment is on a new San Fransisco transport hub, saying it is going to be greener and more efficient, but no further detail is given. There is a lot of time wasted on unnecessary scenic views (based on the programme's intent) and unnecessary graphics.

Inspimentary about engineering as a vocation

[jppanp · 5/10 · 19 December 2020]

Don't expect any real engineering information in this. This is a non technical film promoting engineering as a vocation to those who may never have considered it, and for this it probably does the job adequately.

Diversity overload and bar lowered as ever

[azazazdtc · 1/10 · 13 November 2018]

I was truly excited by the premise of this title.

15 minutes in, I started wondering if there was going to be something else than beautiful pictures and virtue signaling.

30 minutes in, according to this movie, I drew the conclusion that engineers are either people of color or women, or both.

40 minutes in, I signed off, baffled by the level of virtue signaling and the lack of actual engineering content.

This Hollywood propaganda is really a shame afaiac: so much money, yet so little actual content.

Inspiring

[noufhouse · 9/10 · 20 July 2020]

I watched it with my students today..they were very amazed by it and kept on talking about their future plans, it's a must watch for middle/high schoolers

The premise is really complicated

[Horst_In_Translation · 4/10 · 29 August 2018]

"Dream Big: Engineering Our World" is a new IMAX documentary from 2017 directed by Oscar nominee Greg MacGillivray and narrated by Oscar winner Jeff Bridges. It runs for 42 minutes and as for Bridges I must say I like him quite a lot, but as a narrator I am just not sure. His mumbling approach only works really well when we see him too and when it's more about the character than about getting information and knowledge out to audiences. But there is an even bigger problem here. The idea of making a short film about engineering and important as well as impressive achievements by human constructors feels very basic. It's incredibly difficult to get the proper focus in with such a general topic to be honest and I cannot really say they succeeded. The parts about the Chinese Wall or about a Turkish engineer who decided to work in this field after a horrible earthquake in her home country do not feel too essential and same goes for the woman's approaches in making her job appear interesting to kids (especially girls) from the next generation. And still these are the parts that stay in mind more than all the rest basically. There are some beautiful shots nonetheless and this film is evidence that beauty can exist also in what was created by mankind, not just in nature (what was created by God you could say). But beauty isn't everything here. I did not learn as much as I hoped I would and the documentary did not really keep my interest for the longest time. Most of the interviewees were pretty forgettable too. Also, even as a Miley Cyrus fan, I must say that some of the song selections here felt very bizarre and hardly fitting the subject at all. I've seen better many times by McGillivray and IMAX. This one here sadly gets a thumbs-down. Not recommended.

Informational and Inspiring!

[rannynm · 8/10 · 20 July 2018]

This film is really informational and the camera shots are amazing. The only drawback is that it gets a bit boring after a while. There is so much information that isn't all that interesting. This documentary would really appeal to those interested in architecture and engineering.

The film reveals stories about different engineers who all want to make the world a better place. They create buildings that won't collapse in earthquakes and build bridges across rivers so people can get to school. It shows that engineering is an occupation that can really impact the world and make it a safer place.

Jeff Bridges, as narrator of the film, has the sort of deep voice that suits the documentary. Some of the information seems a bit random and doesn't enhance the story. The best parts for me are when they tell the back stories of peoples' lives and how difficult they are. After the engineers help them, I love seeing them so happy and having easier lives. Those are things that inspire people to want to become engineers.

I have to say, the camera shots and angles are truly amazing. They capture massive cities and buildings beautifully. There is obviously lots of effort that went into editing this film and adding suitable background music. These all really help the viewer picture engineering as an art, that is very helpful. They show majestic buildings that glow at night, roller coasters that give so much happiness and thrills, and bridges that help you access high areas and look down at the scenery or up at the beautiful stars.

My favorite scene is definitely the story about the engineers building a bridge across a river so kids could get to their school. Before the bridge, they literally risked their lives getting to school. Many people have drowned in the river, but they crossed it everyday in order to get an education. After the bridge is built everyone, including the children, is extremely excited and relieved. They are dancing, playing music and getting to school without risking their lives or getting wet. The bridge changed their lives.

The moral of this film is that engineering is a profession that helps people. This film shows that engineering is interesting and rewarding. However, I did find parts of it a bit boring, with the exhaustive information. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages of 11 to 18, as well as adults. If you are interested in engineering, you will definitely enjoy this documentary. It is available now on DVD so check it out.

Reviewed by Jolleen M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. For more reviews by youth, visit kidsfirst dot org.

Disappointing

[samlg3 · 4/10 · 18 October 2019]

Some great footage in here but the pacing and editing felt kinda odd. Think they tried to cover too much rather than going into more detail on a smaller number of topics. You jump around lots of places and nothing felt linked together. Just didn't work for me.

Highly misleading

[lauuraes · 3/10 · 6 September 2020]

The title makes you think you're going to see the biggest engineering structures created and that's what I expected to see and you can't avoid to feel very disappointed with the minor projects, unwanted personal stories and amazing but very few sceneries of actual structures standing in place right now. Very disappointing

8th grade level

[tomlaws · 10/10 · 24 August 2018]

8th grade level content. 10 minutes in and we're still getting narration at 35 words per minute. Contrast that to Carl Sagan's Cosmos with 75 words per minute and words of a more difficult to comprehend nature. "Where's the Beef?"

Boring

[helaxious · 2/10 · 13 May 2021]

The movie in general was boring, very poor quality, also, what's the deal with those cheap pop songs in the film?

Give us inspiration for engineering and I, as an engineer, was encouraged!

[MasanoriHirano · 8/10 · 16 February 2019]

I saw this IMAX movie in California Science Center just 2 years ago, and recently I also saw this movie on Netflix.

First of all, this movie gave me more energy to engineering. How huge what the engineering made and is going to make is and the contributions of engineering. It is mainly focused on some kind of architecture or specific project. I'm not a member of these kinds of research areas, but these inspired me so much.

The title "Dream big" seemed to mean the dream to make big things, e.g., big buildings, huge bridge, and so on at first impression. But, I think there are bigger meanings: Dream can make it possible to create a new world we can not imagine now, and we as engineers have to dream big.

When I saw this movie the first time is the sophomore of my university in Japan. Of course, some of you who can use English natively think it as childish because the narration is very easy and might make you sleepy. But the main theme of this movie is more than appearance.

Love...

[RosanaBotafogo · 8/10 · 27 June 2021]

Very cute, short and light, with the presence of children and several magnificent ingenuities generated by brilliant minds produced by brilliant hands... Divine soundtrack, "One Day" touches my soul and heart, and quotes the fantastic boys from the movie "Spare Parts", beautiful and exciting...

IMAX film on how engineers build the world.

[TxMike · 22 January 2019]

I found this on DVD from my local library. It was made as an IMAX film so the sound and video are first rate.

Jeff Bridges narrates. It features a few engineers, and a team of high school students, using engineering principles to solve big problems. Like buildings that won't crumble in an earthquake, tall buildings that withstand typhoon winds, a bridge over a dangerous remote river so students can get to school, a canal system in Scotland, an underwater robot competition. It also has a good focus on opportunities for girls and ladies to get into engineering.

Overall a very satisfying and informative presentation. I don't get why there are a few very negative reviews here.