Roving Mars

Through the eyes of two robots, the latest generation rovers, and with NASA scientists by your side, you'll see Mars, our neighbours, in a way no one has ever seen them before, directly from the surface of the incredible red planet. Two unmanned vehicles - Spirit and Opportunity, the Mars Rovers - transmit images from the planet Mars. Through the eyes of two state-of-the-art rovers, and with NASA scientists at your side, you'll see Mars in a way no one ever has before-direct from the surface of the amazing red planet.

How cute, they talk about the little robots, Rovers, as if they were children, preparing the little animals to face the world beyond the galaxy... That were "abandoned" to God-will give it on Mars, delicious soundtrack, beautiful images, full of information, great documentary...

I went to this at the IMAX today and I found my 30 minute drive well worth the trouble. Although a short documentary, it is an extremely informative one.

Although there seems to be some license given to the sound of the film, it creates a stunning aura to the scenes both on Mars and in Space. The film is actually quite dramatic. Kids will find themselves staring saucer-eyed at the visuals as well as the soothing and informative narration given by an all too familiar voice that I cannot place.

I recommend this film and give it a high rating due to the fact that it has accomplished something I value most in Documentories- Making Learning fun. Watching children and adults alike leave the theater chatting animatedly about the "possibilities of life" in the universe made me beam happily through the rest of the museum.

I do love these IMAX movies. It's very nice to see films that are EDITED properly and it's a real joy to see EDITING like this. This one has music that seems to be identical to Fog of War! It's good music though.

THE BAD: for something that is meant to be 100% real...why have they put sound on the outer space stuff? THE GOOD: There's never a dull moment in this documentary. It's really fascinating seeing how the rover unfolds itself and moves around the terrain. Plus the elaborate way in which they got it onto the martian surface in the first place! These films have a way of brightening up your day because they are so positive and exciting. You leave the film feeling good...and that HAS to be a good thing.

Short documentary, and just good enough to keep the attention of young viewers... great action sequences and as mentioned, the animation from live footage is nearly indistinguishable... the NASA experience shared here both in actual footage and staff interviews makes for great enjoyment for any space buff... well worth seeing as an IMAX candidate! I suppose the only drawback is no green men or any Hollywood fantasies here, you have to actually use your mind to imagine the possibilities of what's out there, given the tidbits of evidence about water and rock material collected from the mission... should be enough for any mortal man, but don't go in expecting to see Tom Cruise battle any aliens. :)

This had the _opportunity_ to be a great documentary. It started with less of the crappy motivational speeches and some bits of actual science. They showed the construction phases of the two rovers that went on Mars and the animations were great.

I expected this to turn into a detailed log of the travels of the two rovers and the emotions involved and the science and engineering decisions that were made. But the film ended abruptly, after only 38 minutes. The rovers landed and finished their mission in less than 10 minutes of film time.

What was a great concept and a refreshing presentation style ended up in mediocrity. And what was Paul Newman doing narrating the beginning of the film? God, he sounded old.