Roving Mars
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Movie Reviews of Roving Mars
Movie Review: See the Rovers on Mars in widescreen DV D quality
Summary: 5 Stars
I have seen several other DVDs on the Rovers, on PBS television shows, but this one came directly from a theatrical release in IMAX format and is by far the best of the best.
The "Roving Mars" DVD has both standard 4x3 and 16x9 (enhanced) formats. The latter fits a HDTV screen perfectly (1.78:1 aspect ratio) and looks superb when played from an upscaling or HD DVD player.
The introduction is narrated by a noticeably feeble voice over by Paul Neuman. However, the main storyline is covered by the Lead Scientist, Steve Skyiers, who does a great job explaining the Mars Rovers - there are two, Spirit and Opportunity - without beating you up with technospeak.
"Rovering Mars" is only 40 minutes, but there are two extras provided on the same DVD; a 1957 Disney TV program called "Mars And Beyond", which is quite dated and rather cartoonish. Fortunately, there is another extra about 25 minutes in duration, called "Mars: Past, Present and Future". The latter is just as good as the main feature, a bunch of extra scenes that for whatever reason were (needlessly) editted out of the IMAX film.
The filmmakers did a great job with the animated special effects to accurately depict what the actual rocket launcher liftoffs from Cape Kennedy, and departures from Earth's gravity would have looked like from space. The Martian landings took place many months later, about three weeks apart. Amazingly realistic computer graphics were used to make this movie!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Movie Review: Bonus features alone make it a good value.
Summary: 5 Stars
When the original broadcast of the bonus feature "Mars and Beyond" was aired on ABC in 1957, Sputnik was the first man made satellite. Televisions were black and white, had 12 possible channels, and no solid state components. Yet there it was, a vision of a Mars landing vehicle almost identical to what became the Apollo lunar lander when Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon.
In this same 1957 Disney feature, we learn why space exploration is important - "over population and the consumption of Earth's limited resources" make expansion beyond our planet a necessity.
As a lesson in our capacity to imagine and create, and as a lesson in our ability to ignore unpleasant facts, this Disney show is a must see.
Roving Mars itself is an enjoyable documentary. Ponder a bit on what humans are capable of. Find reason to be optimistic that we can solve incredible challenges if we put our minds to it.
Movie Review: Great Overview
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a quick and great overview of the Mars rover mission. The first three fifths of the movie is the preparation that was needed to build not only the rovers, but the landing mechanism to bring the bots safely to the ground once they got there. The remainder discusses the conditions once they got there and some of what they were able to find. There are not a whole lot of actual photographs and video that were sent by the rovers displayed here, it was mostly computer renderings.
When I say that it is quick, it really is. The DVD is 40 minutes long. There is obviously a lot more detail to the rover mission but for those who have a hobby-like interest or for a good family, educational viewing (maybe even a middle school or high school classroom), the visuals are great so visual learners should enjoy it.
Movie Review: Great for the whole family
Summary: 5 Stars
We saw a clip of this video at the National Air & Space Museum--my kids, ages 3 and 5, were riveted! We searched the gift shop for the video but were disappointed that it had not yet been released. Several weeks later I came across it quite by accident on TV and taped it for my older son, who loves outer space and has been fascinated by Mars and the rovers since our trip to the museum. Most general audience space documentaries do not keep his attention, but he loved this one. The narration is almost conversational, not your typical dry, boring voiceover. The video is informative enough for adults and yet still accessible for kids. The images are amazing, no matter what your age. I look forward to adding this video to our collection so I can stop fast-forwarding the commercials on our tape!Movie Review: On another world!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the closest you will probably ever get to travelling to another world. A riveting story of how the Mars Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity travelled to Mars on their hugely successful mission. I too, took my 3 and 5 year old to see this at an IMAX and they were engrossed. The film is slightly extended from its original release to show the Victoria Crater that Opportunity will enter.
The launch and landing sequences are great and I recommend turning up the volume a notch or two for those.
Definitely recommended for those with enquiring minds.