In the main feature, there is a thunderstorm at the beginning of Chapter 2 that demonstrates this very well. Surprisingly, the sound on both features isn't very in-your-face, and only occasionally activates the surrounds for effect. One of the big bragging points of IMAX theaters is their big sound systems to match their big screens. If I were not spoiled by the excellent HD material from "Planet Earth," I doubt that there would be anything other than positive comments about this disc. When the camera comes back to earth to show us the African landscape, these issues are not at all noticeable. There is a mild jump to the picture that is slightly noticeable (I'm a little sensitive to this issue, so most may not even notice), and the space shots have a graininess that is probably part of the original film, and not anything to do with the transfer itself. While watching these movies, you can tell that it was sourced from film. However, with the release of the "Planet Earth" documentaries on HD DVD, every title afterwards (and especially any nature documentary) is going to have to measure up to the standard set by that series. Six months ago, I would have said that the picture quality of this disc was stunning, excellent, and maybe a few other words that reviewers like to use so much. While watching it, one can imagine that this would be playing non-stop at the Kennedy Space Center for visitors to get an idea of what the space program is all about. Instead of labeling this HD DVD as a double feature, the second movie "The Dream is Alive" is treated as bonus material. How many movies can you watch that were made, not by big-name directors and Academy Award winning cinematographers, but by astronauts? Looking at the world from 200 miles up gives you a new perspective, and it's a view that few of us alive today will ever enjoy in person.
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