Our Universe

Since buying my first home projector setup back at the start of January 2014 I have been ploughing through IMAX-documentaries both in 2D and 3D. And yes. If you're going to watch IMAX productions at home, you pretty much need as big a screen as your home will allow. Do it right and it truly becomes a breathtaking experience.

OK, why do I bring this up, you might ask? Well. Simply because, if you are like me, an amateur space buff who marvels at these sights and what they suggest. Then this will really make itself feel lacking. I mean, it just isn't up to snuff.

It's not really the fault of the imagery. Or the sound. Both are well adequate. It's more about it's pacing and focus. Mainly its focus, basically. The great IMAX narratives rely heavily of immersing you in the worlds they portray. You feel like an astronaut when watching them repair the Hubble telescope and you marvel at what the strange sights suggest. You feel part of the wilderness. You are part of it.

Our Universe fails miserably at this. Instead of the awe-inspiring stories of planet-formation that I have sort of come to expect, this one feels more like that kid in grade-school that is probably destined to be a great astronomer himself (if he doesn't change his mind through puberty). But hearing him prattle on and on and on about anything and everything without any sense of showmanship, storytelling or narrative timing is just mind-numbing.

And to make matters worse, the things you see and hear about in this production is not in the least bit eye-opening or groundbreaking. This is astronomy 101 for dummies. Probably like the first astronomy session you had in grade-school. About as basic as it gets. While at the same time refusing to stay on one subject until it gets interesting before moving on until it's suddenly just stops.

If you haven't got the singlest clue about the bodies in our universe and you have a 3D home cinema with a giant screen, seek out some IMAX-docus. If you are stuck with smaller screens, then treat yourself to Carl Sagans Cosmos. Because, if I'm honest. Our Universe just doesn't give its subject-matter the respect it has earned.