Coral Reef Adventure

Coral Reef Adventure (2003)

*** (out of 4)

Liam Neeson narrates this IMAX documentary taking a look at the coral reefs of the South Pacific. Underwater filmmakers Howard and Michele Hall try to explain the importance of the reef as well as explain why it would so damaging if Global Warming destroyed it. CORAL REEF ADVENTURE, obviously, is best seen on an IMAX screen but even on a smaller screen I think people are going to be entertained simply by the beauty of the subject matter. There are a few problems with the film including the fact that it includes a lot of preaching about the doom and gloom of Global Warming. I'm sure if you believe in the great warming debate then you're not going to mind more preaching but as someone who doesn't want to be preached to constantly, the subject started to wear on me. One of the mixed things is that Crosby, Stills and Nash does the soundtrack, which includes a couple of their hits like Teach Your Children and Our House. The cool nature of their vocal tone really works nicely with the visuals on the screen but where the music doesn't work is when these songs are sung by some children. Those unfamiliar with the reefs are going to get a good history lesson on what they are, how they work and what diseases they help fight. I think it goes without saying that the greatest thing about the film are the visuals, which are just downright beautiful. The cameras get you so close to the action that you almost feel as if you're down there swimming. The vivid colors really jump off the screen as words can't describe how beautiful all the reefs are.

It's Australia's Great Barrier Reef, moving to Fiji and beyond. Sadly I did not see it in Imax as intended but the underwater footage still looks amazing. I will say that I've never seen anyone get their teeth cleaned in that way. The above water stuff is less compelling. The animation is plenty good enough to transition from one location to the next. Flyover is probably best in Imax but it looks great no matter what. One of the better things this movie does is time-lapsed photography. The slow bleaching of a coral is great visualization of warming temperatures. It allows for a soft insistent message on global warming. The music from Crosby Stills & Nash is great. I expected more narration from Liam Neeson. All in all, this is a nice visual plea for the environment.

This film has beautiful images to share. The movie was well produced with a great use of music with the different shots. The movie did get a little "environmental", but it was to be expected. I also think they could have chosen better music than Crosby, Stills and Nash. Overall I would highly recommend seeing it if you have the opportunity. It is educational and breathtaking.

I'm writing this review 20 years after seeing the film with my two very young daughters. I wrote down every website written at the end of the film and began following the science. I began composting, recycling when I hadn't prior, when it was time to buy a new car I searched far and wide for the most efficient car at the time and found a Prius. When building our new home I made sure it would be solar and geothermal, using NO fossil fuels. I began writing articles about climate change and waste and where it ends up. I talked to my kids about all of it every day hoping one of them might eventually make a career in climate science. Lo and behold my youngest did just that! When at the end of the film it said the coral reefs would all disappear in 40 years, that was what really got me. 40 YEARS was NOTHING, and here we are 20 years in with absolutely nothing substantial being done to change that projection. I have been amazed and disappointed that so few others reacted in the same way I did once they learn just a few of the facts. Well, I just want to thank the people involved in making this film!

This film gives a beautiful display of how wondrous and beautiful the worlds

coral reefs are. It also shows how the worlds coral reefs are dying. The reefs are dying for a number of reasons. 1. Over fishing, because fish eat the alga that grows over the coral, and will engulf the coral if there are no fish to eat it. 2. is because of global warming. If the ocean gets too warm the will not be able to withstand the warmth and will gradually die out. 3. Is because of pollution. The pollution can come from a number places. It could come from sewerage

dumped into the sea, it could from rivers that have turned muddy because of

tree logging. Also the removal of mangrove trees, because mangrove trees help to consume the pollution and prevent it from reaching the sea.

This film shows not only the Great Barrier Reef, it also takes you the coral reefs of tropical island such as Fiji Tahiti and Bora Bora. For some of the Fijian

people, the reefs provide much more than just a beautiful paradise they also

provide food because of all the sea creatures that live there. So if the reefs were to die, many Fijians could starve.

So the basic morals this film teaches is how beautiful and important the worlds coral reefs are and that they could all die in the next three decades unless we do something about it.