IMAX: Space Station
250 miles above us in outer space floats the International Space Station. IMAX: Space Station takes its viewers on a fantastic voyage, letting landlubbers such as myself experience the wonders of space.
Typical IMAX screens are 72 feet wide and 52 feet tall — in addition, IMAX: Space Station was originally filmed with IMAX 3D cameras. While initially I had reservations about how such a big film would look on the small screen, any such fears were alleviated once the film started. Regardless of screen size, this film is fantastic.
IMAX: Space Station documents the assembly and operation of the International Space Station. The film’s footage was recorded during the first and second expeditions to the space station in 2000 and 2001. The movie follows a logical order, taking viewers through astronaut training and through a launch before finally reaching the blackness of space.
No matter how many times I see it, watching astronauts floating around in zero gravity is always entertaining. Grandiose shots of the space station being assembled with the earth rotating in the background make me want to be an astronaut when I (eventually) grow up. The film’s 47-minute playing time keeps the pace moving along, though the scenic shots taken outside the space station make the film seem longer than it really is. All the included footage is truly spectacular. Anyone who’s ever dreamt of going to space will be mesmerized.
Included on the disc are several extras space fans will appreciate. “Expedition 7″ is an audio/visual tour of the International Space Station by Astronaut Dr. Ed Lu. More astronauts along with NASA employees and the filmmakers appear in the incredibly interesting feature “Adventures in Space”, a retrospective look at the making of the film. Some amazing footage is included here - cameramen floating around holding a camera while another cameraman acts as the dolly, for example. Several behind the scenes trivia facts are divulged here as well (for example, all of the film’s sleep scenes were faked - the cameras were so loud that filming people actually sleeping proved impossible). Also included is a commentary track featuring Director Toni Myers and Astronaut Marsha Ivins.
More than the technology, IMAX: Space Station highlights the people that made the space station possible. It’s a nice change of pace to see people from different countries working together for a change, and the scenery ain’t bad either.
