Under The Sea 3D
- Year:2009
- Rating:G
- Director:Howard Hall
- Cast:Jim Carrey
- Release Date:March 19, 2009
- Distributor:Warner, IMAX
- Running time:45 minutes
- Film Worth:$12.50
- FILMINK rates movies out of $20 - the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
"...subtly comedic documentary with serious undertones..."
In a subtly comedic documentary with serious undertones relating to the importance of environmental responsibility, award-winning director and cinematographer Howard Hall takes audiences of all ages on a 3-D IMAX journey in Under The Sea 3-D. Screened on the world's largest IMAX screen in Sydney's Darling Harbour, the film features close-up footage of brightly colored coral, stonefish (the world's most venomous fish), South Australia's leafy sea dragons and the endangered puppy-like sea lions.
Viewers find themselves face-to-face with these mysterious and exotic animals filmed in the waters of Southern Australia, Papua New Guinea and other areas in the Indo-Pacific region. A few brief scenes may startle small children (namely sequences where the sea creatures are hunting for prey), but these do not make the film less appealing for younger audiences. With a fitting soundtrack and narration by Jim Carrey, this follow-up to the box office hit Deep Sea IMAX not only provides visually stunning images, but also educates the viewer about the detrimental effects of global climate change on the oceans and their delicate wildlife. The film examines the phenomenon of coral bleaching, the new threat of ocean acidification, and explains the influence that humans have on these processes. While some of the content may go over younger viewers' heads, it introduces them to complex issues while entertaining them with footage of playful sea lions and slithering snakes that appear to swim right toward your face.
The film closes with the optimistic statement that humans have started to accept responsibility for the changes occurring in the environment and, if we apply the skills that we have, our legacy will continue. This important message, complimented by stunning scenes of underwater life that most will never experience first-hand, give this film a real resonance.
