Plot: What’s it about?
The United States and Russia have been bitter enemies in the past, but as change has swept across the globe, the opposite is now true. One of the most obvious examples of the new bond between the nations is showcased in this feature Mission to Mir, which was created to be played in IMAX theaters. The space station Mir floats high above the surface, with teams of Russian and American space workers on board, to perform all sorts of duties, tests, and whatever else might be needed. In this film, we’re shown the day-to-day operations that take place, as well as given a glimpse or two at the view from the station, which is nothing short of gorgeous, to say the very least. We’re also introduced to the people that run the station and learn more about them as people, as well as how they all interact, on a personal & professional basis. Much of the focus is on astronaut Shannon Lucid, who has to spend more time on Mir than expected, but doesn’t allow it to keep her down. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to visit the space station Mir, then this is your chance to take a peek inside.
I’ve seen a lot of IMAX movies and more often than not, the space themed ones rank toward the bottom of my scale, in terms of entertainment. Some have dazzling visuals at times, but in the end, they just seem to fall short of the faster paced features. But with Mission to Mir, I was taken in from the start and never bored for even a second, as this one cool flick. I suppose it could be due to more of a story than most of the IMAX space films, but on the whole, this one was just better made, in terms of editing and execution. In addition to a faster pace and more focused perspective, Mission to Mir also has a more personal feel to it, as we learn about the astronauts and watch them interact, which was cool to me. I also felt as if I knew a lot more about the events than with some of the IMAX space projects, which also made it a little more interesting to watch. As you’d expect from an IMAX movie, there’s plenty of memorable visuals to be seen, including some beautiful space shots and even some nice work from the ground. If you’re a space nut then this is a no brainer, but anyone interested should give this a look, it’s well worth the time & effort.
Video: How does it look?
Mission to Mir is presented in a full frame transfer. Of course, the image loses some impact when moved to the smaller screens, but it still looks very good here. The print looks to be in superb condition and aside from a couple small errors, I have no real complaints with this presentation. The colors are lush and natural, while contrast is even handed at all times, no detail loss in the least to report here. The picture is sharp and very refined, which leaves me to score it well and I think most viewers will quite pleased.
Audio: How does it sound?
Although it isn’t a non stop audio demo reel, the included Dolby Digital 5.1 track is great and offers some scenes that could be used as reference material. In those instances, the audio is outstanding in all respects, but of course, the rest of the feature doesn’t sound quite so impressive by comparison. The surrounds are put to good use and enhance the environment more than a little, but in those certain scenes, it picks up into another level, very cool stuff. So while the entire track is not reference level, it has some moments that are and as such, I am scoring this one a little higher than I should, in the grand scheme. This disc also includes a French language track, as well as subtitles in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes a five minute behind the scenes featurette.
