Search - IMAX: Deep Sea on DVD

Daiva H. from STAFFORD, VA
Reviewed on 3/8/2011...

Great quality movie that the whole family can enjoy!

Tim P. from JONESVILLE, NC
Reviewed on 12/15/2010...

I was pleasantly surprised, this experience was better than expected. I've read many reviews that criticize this dvd by comparing it to the "IMAX experience". I must admit I have not seen the IMAX version of this and I imagine that it would be breath taking. But I have seen this in a standard platform and I would recommend this to anyone. The images are spectacular. This set shys away from your typical sharks and dolphins and shines the spotlight on other mysterious unknown or less talked about creatures. The voice work by J Depp and K Winslet is also great. Even with scripted banter they still seem to be having fun with the work and it shines through. I have put this disc on the shelf next to BBC's Planet Earth if that is any clue to how high I regard this doc. The only complaint I can possibly dig down and find is the amount of material. At 40 minutes this is a great piece to simply relax and take a few moments to yourself, but it does leave you wanting more. This disc is very family friendly and I cannot imagine any child not appreciating it. So in conclusion although it may not be IMAX 3D, I believe that this disc should not be discounted. I am very pleased to have it in my collection.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

See in an IMAX theater; don't bother with the DVD

steve | DeKalb, IL USA | 07/02/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I was eagerly awaiting the release of this DVD, as I missed the film when it played in IMAX theaters. It boasted an impressive array of talent (including narration by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet and a score by Danny Elfman) and adoring reviews. Unfortunately, this is one of those IMAX films that doesn't survive the transition to the small, 2-D screen. Stripped of the 3-D effects and gigantic high-resolution image, it's deadly dull.

"Deep Sea" starts off strongly with a mysterious shot of ethereal jellyfish swimming in darkness. Then the next shot is of a huge grouper floating almost motionlessly, and Depp brightly tells us that "he's always hungry!" The film continues in that vein, with endless shots that were obviously staged for 3-D but appear oddly static and contrived on a television screen. The narration is utterly inane; it vacillates between PBS-style pomposities (there's the obligatory stuff about how we're devastating the ocean ecosystem) and anthropomorphic nonsense that seems to be aimed at small children. Depp manages to maintain his dignity, but Winslet comes off as condescending. Elfman's classical work "Serenada Schizophrana" is somewhat awkwardly adapted into a score that is barely audible under the narration.

Despite the phrase "deep sea" in the title, most of the film seems to be taking place about 20 feet under water. With the possible exception of a squid that changes color several times a second, there's nothing in this film that you haven't seen before."

A magical world revealed

E. Karasik | Washington, DC United States | 06/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While this film is surprisingly short and has some limitations in term of continuity, I found it utterly absorbing and watched it twice the same day. The photography is some of the most stunning marine footage I have ever seen. The filmmakers have done a superb job of capturing some of the most charismatic, sinister, and whimsical creatures that inhabit the oceans, and the information about their life cycles, while not exhaustive, was well edited to maintain interest. Highly recommended!"

Stunning, Even Without The 3-D

Craig Connell | Lockport, NY USA | 09/06/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Although disappointed I couldn't see this in 3-D, as advertised on the DVD (not the one being sold here), . I still thought the photography was amazing and the colors just spectacular. I've never seen underwater footage this good. This also is the first time I've actually heard the sounds that some of these marine creatures make. I just presumed, like many others, there was mostly silence underneath the surface. That's not so; there are some amazing sounds.

More so, there are some amazing creatures that most of us have never heard about or seen. Some of them are downright weird-looking, repulsive yet fascinating. They are so strange you think you're looking at some animated film with cartoon characters.....but these creatures are real. Some of them are frightening and brutal killers.

I've read complaints about the narration by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, and have to agree on a couple points. Winslet does make an attempt to put some reflection in her voice but Depp sounds like he's sleepwalking through this. His voice is flat, a monotone, and it sounds like he's reading the material for the first time. Neither of these two add much life to his documentary.

Others complain that it's just under 40 minutes and thus, the DVD overpriced. Well, I found it very interesting and stunning to view. I wouldn't mind adding it to my collection because this is something I would watch multiple times."