Antarctics is a 25-year-old documentary written and directed by John Weiley (probably his most known work so far) from 1991 and as usual with IMAX it runs for roughly 40 minutes. It takes us to the coldest regions of the planet this time as we get an insight into Antarctica. Unfortunately, it is not really a nature documentary, but tells us more about how people work at the South pole these days and what it means in the larger picture. That's why I did not like it as much as I hoped. I would have preferred more animal photography. But that is just personal preference. Maybe it is exactly the other way around for you. And even if I was not blown away by this little film, I still see its value as a documentary. Back in the early 1990s, these films were still narrated by not too famous people, even if Alex Scott has a fair share of films under his belt. All in all, a decent watch. I recommend it.
10 Reviews
please listen
lee_eisenberg3 November 2020
This IMAX documentary focuses on the circumpolar continent at Earth's southern extremity. As expected, "Antarctica" has no shortage of shots of glaciers and penguins. And of course they note that the continent has a six-month day and a six-month night, with the sun circling in the sky during summer.
But the documentary also warns us about rising sea levels. Well, since then the Thwaites Glacier (also called a doomsday glacier) on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet has retreated. Maybe it's high time that we stop treating climate scientists as alarmists.
Not the greatest documentary, but worth seeing.
But the documentary also warns us about rising sea levels. Well, since then the Thwaites Glacier (also called a doomsday glacier) on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet has retreated. Maybe it's high time that we stop treating climate scientists as alarmists.
Not the greatest documentary, but worth seeing.
bad sound design
SnoopyStyle1 January 2021
A group of scientists goes to the southern continent. It's a nature documentary using IMAX. Various science centers used to make these shorter films to show in their IMAX theaters. This one seems to be an Australian production. The visuals look great especially if it's shown on the big screen. On the hand, I hate the sound designs. It is too bombastic and overly dramatic. When it tries to be comedic, it sounds stupid. The narration sounds fine. They need to rethink the sound.
One of the best Imax movies I have ever seen.
joe-236124 September 2007
Antarctica is breath-taking. It takes you under the ice of Antarctica, it shows you the amazing fauna that can survive in such harsh climates. I have read that it has sold more than one hundred Million dollars worth of tickets. m not surprised. Certainly it is the best IMAX film I haVE SEEN: According to the Australian film commission it is the second or third most successful Australian film of any kind ever released.
The story of humanities search for understanding - beyond the edge of what is known - is extraordinarily moving. The music is amazing in its own right I have a copy of a concerto based on it recorded by the London Symhony Orchestra with the guitarist John Williams. I recommend it to everyone.
The story of humanities search for understanding - beyond the edge of what is known - is extraordinarily moving. The music is amazing in its own right I have a copy of a concerto based on it recorded by the London Symhony Orchestra with the guitarist John Williams. I recommend it to everyone.
The REAL Winter Wonderland
Jinn23 October 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Awesome documentary. One of the best Imax ones I have ever seen. (A Pity my TV isn't as big as the Imax! ;) I saw this flick at the Imax when it first came out. It was one of the very irst movies to be screened at the Imax in Sydney.
It was a blessing to finally see the movie again (without the 2 disgusting, obnoxious brats who talked through the *whole entire* thing which very sadly ruined my Imax experience :*( And despite my much smaller TV screen - the brat-free viewing, indeed a blessing.
The only thing is the movie would have been better had it been longer with more of the stunning photography.
Very nice to see it again with the lovely scenery, amazing photography and learning more about the Antarctic wilderness. Especially the huge underwater pools.
I hope to venture to Antarctica one day on one of the amazing trips I've seen. :)
It was a blessing to finally see the movie again (without the 2 disgusting, obnoxious brats who talked through the *whole entire* thing which very sadly ruined my Imax experience :*( And despite my much smaller TV screen - the brat-free viewing, indeed a blessing.
The only thing is the movie would have been better had it been longer with more of the stunning photography.
Very nice to see it again with the lovely scenery, amazing photography and learning more about the Antarctic wilderness. Especially the huge underwater pools.
I hope to venture to Antarctica one day on one of the amazing trips I've seen. :)
Very good photography, very shoddy script
DaRitz15 October 2009
The film "Antarctica," which I viewed today in IMAX format, is a documentary about the continent of the same name. The movie opens with an excellent shot of an icebreaker plowing through sea-ice like a hot knife through butter. Then a narrator starts talking, which kills the mood. This pretty much sums up the entire movie: great cinematography, mediocre to poor narration.
As other reviewers have pointed out, the writers seemed to try to cram as many subjects as they could into the 40-minute running time. This had the result of being the viewer being yanked away from a topic just as she was getting interested in it, such as during the visually spectacular underwater caverns sequence. Many of the subjects were just plain dull, such as the semi-obligatory pronouncements about the harm humans are doing to the earth and its climate. While most likely true, this is always a downer when viewed in a documentary one paid $9.50 to see.
In addition, the film had several factual errors, not the least of which was saying the Scott Expedition met its tragic end "eleven miles from safety." In fact, they were eleven miles from an unmanned depot, hardly safety. Also, as any serious student of Antarctica knows, the ceremonial "barber pole" at Amundsen-Scott Station is NOT the true South Pole, as was strongly implied in the movie.
In conclusion, I can recommend this for Antarctica buffs only, and even for them only with the above caveats.
As other reviewers have pointed out, the writers seemed to try to cram as many subjects as they could into the 40-minute running time. This had the result of being the viewer being yanked away from a topic just as she was getting interested in it, such as during the visually spectacular underwater caverns sequence. Many of the subjects were just plain dull, such as the semi-obligatory pronouncements about the harm humans are doing to the earth and its climate. While most likely true, this is always a downer when viewed in a documentary one paid $9.50 to see.
In addition, the film had several factual errors, not the least of which was saying the Scott Expedition met its tragic end "eleven miles from safety." In fact, they were eleven miles from an unmanned depot, hardly safety. Also, as any serious student of Antarctica knows, the ceremonial "barber pole" at Amundsen-Scott Station is NOT the true South Pole, as was strongly implied in the movie.
In conclusion, I can recommend this for Antarctica buffs only, and even for them only with the above caveats.
IMAX in the Antarctic
TheLittleSongbird13 June 2022
Absolutely love nature documentaries and plenty of those made into IMAX short films were quite good and more. As well as that, another big reason to see 'Antarctica' to me was Antarctica itself. It's a beautiful and unforgiving place, plenty of habitats are those things but not many as much as the Antarctic. It is a place that has been visited many times in documentaries, but it is so fascinating and have often learnt something new each time it's covered.
Really do wish though that 'Antarctica' was better. Have generally been impressed by the IMAX documentary short films, but this is one of the few to not do much for me. While having no issues with the visuals or animals, other documentaries have educated and interested me a lot more and the things that the IMAX documentary short films varied a lot on are failures here in 'Antarctica' and in a way that's big enough to bring things down significantly.
Beginning with the good, the production values are exemplary. The Antarctic scenery is a wonder and is as beautiful and unforgiving as ever and spectacularly photographed. The IMAX doesn't cheapen anything.
Did love the animals, ones that are diverse in size and whether prey or not, and there are parts that are charming and cute.
Unfortunately, 'Antarctica' is let down badly by the constant and overbearing music and that the already cheesy narration writing is delivered in too jokey a way that is really at odds with what's going on screen and constantly took me out of the setting.
Pacing is a major issue too, 'Antarctica' does try to cram in and cover far too much, which means that the whole thing feels very rushed and severely under-developed. Also wasn't really educated that much, very little here that covers any new ground and it felt over-familiar. Subtlety wasn't a strong suit either, some of the delivery felt too heavy.
In summary, disappointing. 4/10.
Really do wish though that 'Antarctica' was better. Have generally been impressed by the IMAX documentary short films, but this is one of the few to not do much for me. While having no issues with the visuals or animals, other documentaries have educated and interested me a lot more and the things that the IMAX documentary short films varied a lot on are failures here in 'Antarctica' and in a way that's big enough to bring things down significantly.
Beginning with the good, the production values are exemplary. The Antarctic scenery is a wonder and is as beautiful and unforgiving as ever and spectacularly photographed. The IMAX doesn't cheapen anything.
Did love the animals, ones that are diverse in size and whether prey or not, and there are parts that are charming and cute.
Unfortunately, 'Antarctica' is let down badly by the constant and overbearing music and that the already cheesy narration writing is delivered in too jokey a way that is really at odds with what's going on screen and constantly took me out of the setting.
Pacing is a major issue too, 'Antarctica' does try to cram in and cover far too much, which means that the whole thing feels very rushed and severely under-developed. Also wasn't really educated that much, very little here that covers any new ground and it felt over-familiar. Subtlety wasn't a strong suit either, some of the delivery felt too heavy.
In summary, disappointing. 4/10.
Good footage, documentary lacked content
jbartell3 November 1999
The footage in this movie looks great on a big screen, however the documentary left me desiring a lot more. There are long sections with mediocre sound effects/music where the creator could have provided a lot of interesting information about penguins, glaciers, Antarctica, etc. This is supposed to be a documentary, after all!
I give it 8 stars for good visuals, 2 stars for lack of content = 5 stars overall.
I give it 8 stars for good visuals, 2 stars for lack of content = 5 stars overall.
Disappointing, and I wanted it to be much more.
ikester85 July 2008
Normally I love documentaries about Antarctica. The grandeur and desolation of the continent lends itself to phenomenal photography, while the animal life provides insight as to how tough the living conditions actually are.
But this film was a great disappointment. I'm not really giving anything away by saying it tried to do too many things within the course of 40 minutes. Everything got short shrift: human exploration, current scientific missions, fauna, geology, weather. All of these things have been explored much better in other documentaries. This movie should have stayed to the strengths of its format: wide angle views of the desolate landscape. There is little action here, why try to create some? The sound editing was atrocious. On what is essentially a frozen wasteland, one would expect some quiet when the wind wasn't howling. But the sound editors seemingly went out of their way to add in noisome effects.
The music was especially annoying. Scenes of boats and hovercrafts simply moving next to icebergs were accompanied by minor-key aural blasts more suitable for a horror movie. And I can't even comment on the cloying, near-onomatopoeic track accompanying the Adelie penguins. It must be heard in context to be believed.
Not that I recommend you doing so. Four stars.
But this film was a great disappointment. I'm not really giving anything away by saying it tried to do too many things within the course of 40 minutes. Everything got short shrift: human exploration, current scientific missions, fauna, geology, weather. All of these things have been explored much better in other documentaries. This movie should have stayed to the strengths of its format: wide angle views of the desolate landscape. There is little action here, why try to create some? The sound editing was atrocious. On what is essentially a frozen wasteland, one would expect some quiet when the wind wasn't howling. But the sound editors seemingly went out of their way to add in noisome effects.
The music was especially annoying. Scenes of boats and hovercrafts simply moving next to icebergs were accompanied by minor-key aural blasts more suitable for a horror movie. And I can't even comment on the cloying, near-onomatopoeic track accompanying the Adelie penguins. It must be heard in context to be believed.
Not that I recommend you doing so. Four stars.
The most disappointing IMAX I have seen
freddent4 September 2001
I love IMAX. However, this film lacks many of the qualities of other IMAX films. While the photography is beautiful it has virtually no story line. The film heads off into seven different directions with no thread to guide the viewer.
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