VIDEO REVIEWS
SLINGSHOT 3-D
September 2002
Video Store Magazine reviewer Andrew Melomet took a look at Slingshot
Entertainment’s 3-D viewing systems and checked out some titles
from the series. Here’s what he found:
The System
All SlingShot’s 3-D Collections include two pairs of wireless glasses
and a Video Synchronization Controller (VSC). The glasses are comfortable
and easily fit over regular eyeglasses. However, since the 3-D effects
work best in a darkened room, it did seem a bit like wearing sunglasses
in the dark, making it difficult to find and use the remote control. The
instruction manual refers to turning ON the glasses by using the ON button.
There are no ON buttons on the current wireless glasses provided and an
email to www.I-glasses.com was necessary to clarify this.
The controller uses a standard RCA cable to connect between the DVD player
and your television. If you’re still using a composite connection
from the DVD player to your set, it’ll work. Anyone who has upgraded
to S-video or component inputs will have to do some creative rewiring
to install the controller. The RCA composite connections allow for dot
crawl and a lower visual quality than from S-video and component connections.
With the large-frame IMAX® titles viewed on my 43-inch rear projection
TV, this degradation was obvious; on smaller sets it will not pose a problem.
The Titles
Encounter in the Third
Dimension
Director Ben Stassen creates a seamless integration of live-action actors
with CGI sets and special effects in his first 3-D feature for IMAX®.
Stuart Pankin and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (Cassandra Peterson), star
in this lighthearted look at historical and contemporary 3-D entertainment.
From black-and-white stereoscope photos and 1950’s 3-D movies to
Terminator 2:3-D, Encounter in the Third Dimension delivers the 3-D goods
in a fast-paced 36 minutes. One of the high points in an homage to Jules
Verne with a 3-D Journey to the Center of the Earth. Stassen delivers
an informative directors commentary on what works best in 3-D entertainment.
The listed running time of 57 minutes includes a “making of”
featurette and an electronic press kit.
Alien Adventure
A group of aliens looking for a new home land on Earth in the middle of
“Adventure Planet,” a high-tech theme park not yet open to
the public. This premise allows viewers to experience four stomach-churning
thrill rides in 3-D. Each ride is a different environment - Arctic Adventure,
Magic Carpet, Kid Coaster and Aqua Adventure – but they all provide
fast-paced, in-your-face 3-D thrills. (One alien graphically experiences
motion sickness on screen!) This IMAX® feature was adapted from an
existing large-format motion-simulation rides by producer/director Ben
Stassen. The CG animation is very smooth with lots of details that can
only be appreciated in slow motion or in the “Virtual Image Galleries.”
Haunted Castle
The first IMAX® film to be rated ‘PG,’ Haunted Castle
tells the story of Johnny, a young rock musician who is summoned to his
late mother’s castle and offered fame and fortune by “Mr.
D” in exchange for his soul. Another smooth blending of detailed
CG and live action from director Ben Stassen, this 38-minute feature delivers
all the scary 3-D thrills you’d expect from the title. It also has
some disturbing images of souls being tortured, which accounts for the
‘PG’ rating. But, as a “total immersion” large-format
feature told from a first-person point of view combining surreal visual
effects with a wrap-around musical score and sound effects, this is an
exciting show. Stassen’s director’s commentary offers further
insight into the production, and he’s more than willing to point
out what works for him as the director as well as the failures in the
production.
Ultimate G’s
This is a spectacular IMAX® production telling the story of a boy’s
dream to fly and culminating with an amazing aerobic competition over
and through the Grand Canyon. Filmed in Canada and Arizona, this feature
takes full advantage of the IMAX® large-format frame, filling it with
dynamic aerial stunts over the backdrop of the Grand Canyon, Little Colorado
River and Lake Powell. Placing the 3-D IMAX in the Extra 300 Aerobatic
Planes allows for a first person point of view that is guaranteed to have
heads swiveling and stomachs turning. This is the first DVD that should
include airsickness bags as a bonus feature. Of particular interest are
the commentary track with producer Carl Samson and the director Keith
Melton giving background information on shooting a live-action IMAX®
feature in 3-D and the electronic press kit that allows viewers to really
see the size and complexity of the large-format 3-D cameras used in the
production. Another DVD bonus feature is “Aerobatics American Style,”
featuring footage from the Expo 2000 Air Show.
Availability
All the 3-D DVD Slingshot Entertainment titles are available at $19.99
list. There are two 3-D DVD collections priced at $99.99 which include
three 3-D titles, two pairs of wireless 3-D glasses, a video synchronization
controller, an RCA video cable, a 9-volt battery power supply and an instruction
manual. The Ultimate 3-D Collection includes Alien Adventure, Encounter
in the Third Dimension and Haunted Castle. The Ultimate 3-D Horror Collection
includes Camp Blood, Hunting Season and Zombie Chronicles. Upcoming 3-D
DVD releases include Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe, Monster From
a Prehistoric Planet and Radar Men From the Moon.
Most of the titles include such DVD bonus features as 2-D and 3-D versions;
director’s commentary; “making of” featurettes; theatrical
trailers; virtual image galleries; and electronic press kits. Sound is
Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS.
review source: Video Store Magazine