After years of success breeding captive pandas, scientists at the Chengdu Research Base For Giant Panda Breeding (aka Chengdu Panda Base) in China are taking their efforts to the next stage and preparing captive-born cubs for release in the wild. This film follows one such researcher, whose passion leads her to initiate a new reintroduction technique inspired by a black bear rehabilitator in rural New Hampshire.
What starts as a cross-cultural collaboration becomes a life-changing journey for a team of scientists and one special panda named Qian Qian (pronounced Chen Chen). The film, captured with IMAX® cameras, follows Qian Qian on an exciting new adventure into the mountains of Sichuan as she experiences nature for the first time and discovers the freedom – and perils – of the wild side.
Plot: An American biologist embarks on a life-changing journey to China to help scientists breed giant pandas and introduce the cubs into the wild.
Director: David Douglas, Drew Fellman
Aspect Ratio: 1.90 : 1 & 1:43:1
Runtime: 40 min
Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 100% & IMDB 7.5/10
Trailer (See below)
Review:
This documentary was shot with IMAX and Red Weapon camera’s capable of shooting up to 8K resolution. With those numbers you can guarantee that this documentary will fill your screen with 4K candy. On top of that, there is no grain, so you will get a very clean, natural image throughout. The majority of this presentation was shot outdoors in the wilderness of China and in rural New Hampshire. As you can expect, you’ll get beautiful panoramic shots of those locations and various cities, forests, streams and waterfalls. Nature always looks good on the big screen, that holds true here.
Beyond the crystal clear image, you will see the HDR shine in the fall shots of New Hampshire. The trees vary in color from red, green, orange and everywhere in between — it looks so sharp and colorful you’d think it was fake if you’ve never been there before. (Google: Fall New Hampshire) With this high resolution you will be able to pick up little details like specks of dirt on the Pandas fur, the dampness of a recent rainfall or the various looking textures on the bark of bamboo. There’s nothing negative to say about anything visual from this digital stream. Did I saw stream?
This is the first time I have ever reviewed something from a digital only perspective and it still hits all the marks. When it comes to a full circle conclusion; if you’re like me and you love watching documentaries on nature and animals — this is sure to hit the spot. It’s only 40 minutes, but it does pack a punch with breath-taking shots, deep knowledge, added drama, a start to finish story and more importantly, what we can do to help keep the species alive. It’s easy to sit down and watch, not only by yourself, but with the entire family. This comes highly recommended if this kind of thing interests you.
As of this very second you can own IMAX Pandas on Digital! Have you seen this? Let me know in the comment section below.
Cheers,
Matt.
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