Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
"Ocean Wonderland" is a 40-minute short documentary from 2013, so next year this one will have its 15th anniversary. The director is Jean-Jacques Mantello and this is actually his first of quite a few documentaries that apparently focus on life deep under the sea. And for the two writers Chocron and Spalding, it is certainly among their most known works. So it is a French production, but nonetheless in the English language. The name IMAX certainly provided it with more reputation and popularity than it would have received with this attribute, but it is still among the lesser known IMAX films for sure. The quantity of votes here on IMDb describes it pretty much. The contents aren't bad, but they aren't great either. In terms of the information provided, this one tells nothing really new at all, not even for 2003 standards. But the video recordings are still somewhat beautiful and I guess children especially can enjoy this one a lot as it's easier for them than for adults to ignore the slight emptiness and lack of depth. No pun intended. The environmental message at the very end may be honorable, but it also felt a bit rushed in. Overall, it's no shame if you miss out on this one, but if you like the subject of underwater documentaries, then it's also worth checking out. I give it a cautious thumbs-up. Worth seeing.
kosmasp
If you really want to watch a good IMAX movie that is shot deep down a sea, than you are better off, with the far superior "Deep Sea". Not only is it much more coherent, but it has Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet as Narrators (having Kate might come off as joke/pun, but both do a great job)! While not completely bad in any sense (and with some nice insights into corral life and some very nicely shot pictures), this never really takes off (no pun intended). It's a shame, because it could've been such a good movie, considering the ground it covers (again no pun intended). So while I haven't watched the movie the other reviewer suggest, I guess you might be better off watching the one he's promoting in his commentary, even thought it is only in 2-D!
simon-trek
This IMAX film is a perfect example of the beautiful environment of the Great Barrier Reef. Not only do see lots of beautiful corals you also see, schools of fish, turtles, and dolphins. You also get to see some of the reefs scariercreatures like sharks and sea snakes. If you like this film, then you should also see another IMAX film called 'Coral Reef Adventure'. Unlike 'Ocean Wonderland' which is a 3D film 'Coral Reef' is a 2D film, but this film does help give further insight into not only the Great Barrier Reef but other coral reefs in the Pacific. 'Ocean Wonderland' is a film which mainly focus's on the life that exists in the reefs. While 'Coral Reef Adventure' talks about more than just the life in the reefs, it talks about people who life near the reefs, how coral reefs are dying out and what we must do to protect them. So even though 'Ocean Wonderland' is a good experience I believe 'Coral ReefAdventure' gives much more insight into coral reefs and is therefore a better film.
AD
