Movie review of “A Beautiful Planet 3D”: This documentary shows spectacular IMAX images of Earth filmed by astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Rating: 3 stars out of 4.
“A Beautiful Planet 3D,” which is narrated by Jennifer Lawrence, debuts at the California Science Center and other select IMAX cinemas on Friday, April 29, just in time for the close of Earth Month. But, of course, when Earth is right out your window much of the time, as it is on the space station, every month is Earth Month.
The film is lush with epic imagery, including vast snapshots of clouds, mega land masses, azure oceans, and that ol’ peek-around-the-edge curvature of our round-ish home turf.
Will you see the glowing lights of our big cities? You shall. Might you spy astronauts at work, and hear their thoughts on caring for our one-and-only address? You absolutely will. Is NASA involved? Oh, you bet; the agency was a major part of the making of the film.
Nifty weather and natural phenomenon, including thunderstorms and the Aurora Borealis, also make memorable cameos. (We’ve all seen storms from below, but how do they appear when viewed from above?)
And while the Earth is a wee bit larger than the California Science Center’s IMAX screen, the 7-story screen is still mighty impressive. Take time, after the credits, to stroll the idea-packed place and discover more about our world.
Ready to head out to the International Space Station, at least via IMAX? No need to pack any special gear or clothing; just some wonder, some hope, and some comfy, movie-watching pants’ll do.
Agencies/Canadajournal