IMAX Cosmic Voyage

Cosmic Voyage is a pretty documentary designed to visually impress people watching it on a giant IMAX screen while never making them do any actual thinking and thus ruin their hour of visual gluttony. Like the Coles Notes to the universe, Cosmic Voyage takes viewers on a quick trip from Venice out to the edge of the known universe, magnifying the scope of investigation by powers of ten. Then, once it reaches the edge of human knowledge and understanding, reverses and performs a quick investigation of the microscopic and sub-atomic universe. Unless you have spent your life trapped in a closet at the bottom of a cave you will learn nothing while watching Cosmic Voyage, unless you consider "the universe is cool” a new piece of information. The special feature on this Blu-Ray disc is actually just a second IMAX movie, Destiny in Space. Strangely, Destiny in Space is by far the more informative and interesting of the two, though it is somewhat dated. The eight-year-old feature investigates human exploration and colonization of space, as well as the repair of the Hubble telescope. Much of the information seems like ancient history at this point (like the discussion of the MIR Space Station) but at least this special feature attempts to impart some learning. Both films are visually impressive on a hi-def screen but there are many better Blu-Ray discs featuring similar content. During an in theatre IMAX experience the low impact learning would be fine, since you primarily there to visit the giant screen for eyeball candy but in the living room, Cosmic Voyage falls short of spectacular.