Récifs coralliens

I'm writing this review 20 years after seeing the film with my two very young daughters. I wrote down every website written at the end of the film and began following the science. I began composting, recycling when I hadn't prior, when it was time to buy a new car I searched far and wide for the most efficient car at the time and found a Prius. When building our new home I made sure it would be solar and geothermal, using NO fossil fuels. I began writing articles about climate change and waste and where it ends up. I talked to my kids about all of it every day hoping one of them might eventually make a career in climate science. Lo and behold my youngest did just that! When at the end of the film it said the coral reefs would all disappear in 40 years, that was what really got me. 40 YEARS was NOTHING, and here we are 20 years in with absolutely nothing substantial being done to change that projection. I have been amazed and disappointed that so few others reacted in the same way I did once they learn just a few of the facts. Well, I just want to thank the people involved in making this film!

It's Australia's Great Barrier Reef, moving to Fiji and beyond. Sadly I did not see it in Imax as intended but the underwater footage still looks amazing. I will say that I've never seen anyone get their teeth cleaned in that way. The above water stuff is less compelling. The animation is plenty good enough to transition from one location to the next. Flyover is probably best in Imax but it looks great no matter what. One of the better things this movie does is time-lapsed photography. The slow bleaching of a coral is great visualization of warming temperatures. It allows for a soft insistent message on global warming. The music from Crosby Stills & Nash is great. I expected more narration from Liam Neeson. All in all, this is a nice visual plea for the environment.

We (my wife and I) really enjoyed this documentary movie on the fragile coral reefs. As this is in the IMAX format you really feel like your are diving in the South Pacific or the Caribbean. We are occasional scuba divers and snorkelers and have always loved the magnificent hues of coral reef waters. So anyone with similar interests should see this documentary as it makes a strong message about the reefs and shows the beauty we all may lose if left unprotected. The colors are very vibrant and the surround sound is just another benefit added to the great musical score by Crosby, Stills, & Nash! You'll go home singing all those classics from their Deja Vu album from the late 60's!

Coral Reef Adventure (2003)

*** (out of 4)

Liam Neeson narrates this IMAX documentary taking a look at the coral reefs of the South Pacific. Underwater filmmakers Howard and Michele Hall try to explain the importance of the reef as well as explain why it would so damaging if Global Warming destroyed it. CORAL REEF ADVENTURE, obviously, is best seen on an IMAX screen but even on a smaller screen I think people are going to be entertained simply by the beauty of the subject matter. There are a few problems with the film including the fact that it includes a lot of preaching about the doom and gloom of Global Warming. I'm sure if you believe in the great warming debate then you're not going to mind more preaching but as someone who doesn't want to be preached to constantly, the subject started to wear on me. One of the mixed things is that Crosby, Stills and Nash does the soundtrack, which includes a couple of their hits like Teach Your Children and Our House. The cool nature of their vocal tone really works nicely with the visuals on the screen but where the music doesn't work is when these songs are sung by some children. Those unfamiliar with the reefs are going to get a good history lesson on what they are, how they work and what diseases they help fight. I think it goes without saying that the greatest thing about the film are the visuals, which are just downright beautiful. The cameras get you so close to the action that you almost feel as if you're down there swimming. The vivid colors really jump off the screen as words can't describe how beautiful all the reefs are.

There was absolutely no doubt about seeing 'Coral Reef Adventure'. Am a big fan of nature documentaries and coral reefs always look amazing when filmed underwater, and they feature a lot in nature documentaries. And for good reason, as they are interesting to learn about. Also expected a lot considering that it had Liam Neeson narrating, like him a lot as an actor despite a hit and miss filmography (films like 'Schindler's List' and 'Kinsey' show him off better than the action thrillers he's done a lot of.

'Coral Reef Adventure' however could have been a lot more. While it is definitely above average with a lot to recommend, it struck me as uneven. Nothing really is done terribly, though one aspect does bring things down by quite a lot, but the flaws are again uneven. It is not one of the best nature documentaries out there or a milestone, but it is not one of the worst either and it is worth watching if one wants to learn more about coral reefs (other nature documentaries, including them being frequently revisited in David Attenborough documentaries, cover them better though).

A lot great can be seen here in 'Coral Reef Adventure'. The production values are absolutely impeccable all round. This is another fine example of an environment that is exquisite to look at but very harsh with its challenges, photographed vividly and beautifully. The coral reefs look absoluely ravishing up close and a lot is learnt about them and it is stuff that is illuminating rather than repeating already known facts.

Furthermore, the way it is told is touching and doesn't hold back. The narration is delivered beautifully and did find myself relating somewhat to the coral reefs despite them not being animals or humans, it's just something about their situations and adversity that hits a nerve. Did think that the message was admirable and it is a relevant and important issue and still needs to be addressed.

It though could have made its points with a lot more subtlety, as it is rather heavy-handed and also on the one-sided side. All doom and gloom and not much hope, and it does unbalance the film in my view. Was mixed on the music, it's nice on its own but is used too much and doesn't gel stylistically, a gentler tone was needed.

Did think too that there could have been more narration, what there is does inform and doesn't over-explain or become too hip or schmaltzy but not enough stands out and the messaging and music overbear it. Neeson delivers beautifully but again is underused, especially considering his billing. The length feels too short too.

Overall, rather mixed here. 6/10.