"Journey to the South Pacific" is an American English-language documentary from 2013, so this one is already over 5 years old and it was written and directed by Stephen Judson and of course he got help like so many other times by 2-time Academy Award nominee Greg MacGillivray briefly before his 70th birthday and he is not the only man in charge with said last last, so it is also a bit of a family production. The title makes obvious where this is headed, namely like so many other McGillivray films deep down into the ocean. Like lots of other IMAX productions, this runs for 40 minutes exactly pretty much. And this relatively small running time means that if you want to succeed, you really have to deliver greatg focus and be spot-on from start to finish. Sadly, this one is not. It is a decent documentary with enough emphasis on the beautiful underwater world, but at times the film also loses itself in depicting uninteresting dance rituals of native tribes that add nothing and could have been recorded anywhere else on the planet in another not too far developed country. Also the story line with the boy going on the journey mentioned on the title is pretty cringeworthy. Even if we get so many references like the father talking about how in the old days boys went on long journey and returned as men (what an embarrassing parallel to what his son does), I am pretty sure this was all very much scripted and staged and there was no real journey and even if there was this was certainly nowhere near the level where it would be life-changing for the boy. His narration was also fairly weak. If it worked, then only because of what he said like the hidden second sea horse and not how he said it, but well what can I say, at least he wasn't as unbearable to listen to as his dad. It is not uncommon for IMAX nature documentaries to deliver a mixed narration between locals and one superstar. Streep, Depp and Winslet have narrated already and here we get Oscarf winner Cate Blanchett. She is one of the world's finest actresses without a doubt, but she is not as much of a voice talent as I hoped she would be. Another flaw. Then there is the music and that one really made an impact in both directions, positive and negative. Early on, we hear some beautiful music, very early on right after the film starts, but near the end there was one moment where it was so bad that I almost had to mute the sound because it left a negative impact on the beautiful underwater photography for me. So yeah, the latter is there, not always, but frequently enough for a positive recommendation. These IMAX films arfe never failures, but this one here has more weaknesses than expected. A cautious thumbs-up from me, despite the half-baked environmental message that should have received better focus and emphasis instead of the boy's journey. Go see it. The sea horses, turtles (well the one in the water), not the big poor one surrounded by all these men) and the (other) fish makes it a good enough watch.
5 Reviews
Beautiful at times, but also a double-edged sword
Horst_In_Translation25 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Very mixed journey
TheLittleSongbird26 May 2023
Absolutely love nature documentaries and plenty of those made into IMAX short films were quite good and more. As well as that, another big reason to see 'Journey to the South Pacific' to me was the South Pacific itself. It's a beautiful and unforgiving place, not as much as the Antarctic, the Arctic or the African deserts for example (which are also visited a lot more in nature documentaries), while also being fascinating culturally. Which 'Journey to the South Pacific' explores too.
'Journey to the South Pacific' really is not one of the best IMAX/3D short film documentaries. It is interesting enough for the subject matter, which should be explored more in documentaries generally, but a lot more could have been done with it. It is certainly watchable, especially for the production values, but other documentaries go into their subjects in much more depth, are more focused and fare much better in the music and narration. Have generally been impressed by the IMAX documentary short films, but this is one of the few to not do much for me.
Beginning with the good, the production values are exemplary. The Antarctic scenery is a wonder and is as beautiful and unforgiving as ever and spectacularly photographed. The IMAX doesn't cheapen anything.
Did love the animals, with the fish being particularly memorable, and some parts are charming and cute. Cate Blanchett does deliver the narration elegantly and not too over seriously, and the geography was illuminating, learned more about that aspect of the South Pacific than any of my school geography locations.
However, there are significant short comings. There were occasions where the music was nice, but too many times it is really overbearing and it never gels and felt like it was written for something else. While Blanchett's delivery is fine, the narration is far too cutesy and jokey in writing in an attempt to appeal to younger audiences and trying too hard.
Would have liked more of the nature scenes and less of the more human scenes, which did go on for too long and didn't feel real in staging. Pacing is a major issue too, 'Journey to the South Pacific' does try to cram in and cover far too much, which means that the whole thing feels very rushed and severely under-developed. Also wasn't really educated that much outside of the geography, very little here that covers any new ground and it felt over-familiar. Subtlety wasn't a strong suit either, some of the delivery felt too heavy, especially the global message that felt merely there for the sake of it.
Overall, watchable but disappointing. 5/10.
'Journey to the South Pacific' really is not one of the best IMAX/3D short film documentaries. It is interesting enough for the subject matter, which should be explored more in documentaries generally, but a lot more could have been done with it. It is certainly watchable, especially for the production values, but other documentaries go into their subjects in much more depth, are more focused and fare much better in the music and narration. Have generally been impressed by the IMAX documentary short films, but this is one of the few to not do much for me.
Beginning with the good, the production values are exemplary. The Antarctic scenery is a wonder and is as beautiful and unforgiving as ever and spectacularly photographed. The IMAX doesn't cheapen anything.
Did love the animals, with the fish being particularly memorable, and some parts are charming and cute. Cate Blanchett does deliver the narration elegantly and not too over seriously, and the geography was illuminating, learned more about that aspect of the South Pacific than any of my school geography locations.
However, there are significant short comings. There were occasions where the music was nice, but too many times it is really overbearing and it never gels and felt like it was written for something else. While Blanchett's delivery is fine, the narration is far too cutesy and jokey in writing in an attempt to appeal to younger audiences and trying too hard.
Would have liked more of the nature scenes and less of the more human scenes, which did go on for too long and didn't feel real in staging. Pacing is a major issue too, 'Journey to the South Pacific' does try to cram in and cover far too much, which means that the whole thing feels very rushed and severely under-developed. Also wasn't really educated that much outside of the geography, very little here that covers any new ground and it felt over-familiar. Subtlety wasn't a strong suit either, some of the delivery felt too heavy, especially the global message that felt merely there for the sake of it.
Overall, watchable but disappointing. 5/10.
too many fake scenes, sea life making sounds we wouldn't hear
elainewencl28 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Of very little value, some photography is bad fakes, and couple who supported return of coral reef and bigger fish was barely mentioned. The couple who paid to re-create a former poachers' boat as a traveling school AND stop local fisherman from over fishing AND created a resort environment so local population didn't have to totally rely on fishing (they'd been part of the reason why the big fish had left the area) AND stopped bombing for fish.
Very poorly written, sea life shown making sounds we wouldn't hear if we were there, some underwater scenes were breath-taking (in so many ways) but they were only small moments. Most of film seemed forced.
There could have been value in this film.
Sadly, in March 2017 a cruise ship (without even contacting the island) crashed into and destroyed over $18,000,000 of irreplaceable coral reef.
See www.thejakartapost.com/travel/2017/03/14
Now tourists have whole sections with no reef, and the native fisherman probably have even less fishing options.
Is this island better off because tourism came?
Very poorly written, sea life shown making sounds we wouldn't hear if we were there, some underwater scenes were breath-taking (in so many ways) but they were only small moments. Most of film seemed forced.
There could have been value in this film.
Sadly, in March 2017 a cruise ship (without even contacting the island) crashed into and destroyed over $18,000,000 of irreplaceable coral reef.
See www.thejakartapost.com/travel/2017/03/14
Now tourists have whole sections with no reef, and the native fisherman probably have even less fishing options.
Is this island better off because tourism came?
Simply Spectacular! Don't Miss This Underwater Imax 3D Movie
rannynm17 January 2014
This documentary, as you can guess from the title, is about fish and sea. Unlike many documentaries, this one doesn't just educate you it also tells you a warming story.
This film has a lot of different things that everyone would love. It has education, geography, comedy, music, fish, culture and many more things everyone would enjoy.
The story begins when a young boy lives on an island in gorgeous Indonesia. What is very unique about the story is that it follows a boat that travels to different islands and takes kids from each on a "floating school" where they dive, play fun games and, of course, learn about fish. When the young boy goes on this boat, he leaves home for a couple months for a wonderful aquatic adventure.
My favorite scene is when they talk about the corals singing and they show different marine species making sounds with music-like voice overs and, the funny thing is, they do it in a chorus-like rhythm. I love it because it's light hearted and funny.
Unlike most new movies, this film was taped on a real film, not digital. This gives more in-depth colors. And, it's shot on Imax film which is ten times larger than 35mm which gives better quality because of the larger frame. Not only that but this film is in 3D as well, together making a spectacular IMAX adventure that make you feel like you're in the movie. The director does a wonderful job as does the narrator. I'm impressed.
This movie is definitely suitable for ages 1 to 18. Younger kids would not understand it completely but they would still enjoy the colors and the music. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
Reviewed by Gerry O, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. For more youth reviews, go to kidsfirst dot org.
This film has a lot of different things that everyone would love. It has education, geography, comedy, music, fish, culture and many more things everyone would enjoy.
The story begins when a young boy lives on an island in gorgeous Indonesia. What is very unique about the story is that it follows a boat that travels to different islands and takes kids from each on a "floating school" where they dive, play fun games and, of course, learn about fish. When the young boy goes on this boat, he leaves home for a couple months for a wonderful aquatic adventure.
My favorite scene is when they talk about the corals singing and they show different marine species making sounds with music-like voice overs and, the funny thing is, they do it in a chorus-like rhythm. I love it because it's light hearted and funny.
Unlike most new movies, this film was taped on a real film, not digital. This gives more in-depth colors. And, it's shot on Imax film which is ten times larger than 35mm which gives better quality because of the larger frame. Not only that but this film is in 3D as well, together making a spectacular IMAX adventure that make you feel like you're in the movie. The director does a wonderful job as does the narrator. I'm impressed.
This movie is definitely suitable for ages 1 to 18. Younger kids would not understand it completely but they would still enjoy the colors and the music. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
Reviewed by Gerry O, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. For more youth reviews, go to kidsfirst dot org.
A documentary that might have been funny
ersbel29 March 2015
This is a documentary that might have been funny. Or at least ironic. But it is serious. And pointless. There is no evolution, no change. This is only a vacation snapshot. Colorful images. An exploitation of a land like the advertising heavens for the bigger screens. And I am sure the production team members had the time of their lives. And I am happy they got paid for living there. Still, I have seen better wedding movies.
The humor or irony was ironed out as much as possible. Yet, it still surfaces. The people doing their ritual dancing using body paint of unknown origin, but also Colgate toothpaste. In the end I don't know if the villagers playing the savages for the tourists do clean their teeth. Of course their old ways were better. But not without cotton, imported meats, and don't forget gas/oil for their boat engines. I was amused to hear even the fascism budding in the small island where people used to fish with dynamite talk about the big bad foreigners that fish without license.
Contact me with Questions, Comments or Suggestions ryitfork @ bitmail.ch
The humor or irony was ironed out as much as possible. Yet, it still surfaces. The people doing their ritual dancing using body paint of unknown origin, but also Colgate toothpaste. In the end I don't know if the villagers playing the savages for the tourists do clean their teeth. Of course their old ways were better. But not without cotton, imported meats, and don't forget gas/oil for their boat engines. I was amused to hear even the fascism budding in the small island where people used to fish with dynamite talk about the big bad foreigners that fish without license.
Contact me with Questions, Comments or Suggestions ryitfork @ bitmail.ch
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