Dream Big: Engineering Our World 4K Ultra HD | 3D

Narrated by Jeff Bridges, "Dream Big: Engineering Our World" is a spectacular look at man-made marvels that will forever transform the way you think about engineering. The film celebrates the human ingenuity behind engineering marvels big and small and shows how engineers push the limits of innovation in unexpected and amazing ways. The film is part of a movement aimed at bringing engineering into the forefront of our culture. "Dream Big" is the first giant-screen film to answer the call of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) initiative, which aims to inspire kids of diverse backgrounds to become the innovators who will improve the lives of people across our planet. (Gary Reber)

Special features include the featurette "Hot Topics In The World Of Engineering" (HD 21:18), Behind-The-Scenes (HD 13:48), a trailer, 4K trailers, and a digital copy.

The 1.78:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD HDR10 picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, was photographed digitally using the IMAX 15/70 camera system and sourced from a 2K (not 4K) master Digital Intermediate format. As the 2K Digital Intermediate has been upconverted to 2160p, there is no real gain in native resolution. Originally filmed on Kodak film stock using IMAX 3D cameras for and seen in IMAX® and Giant Screen theatres, the original aspect ratio was 1.44:1. Image quality is superb with a vibrant, fully saturated color palette. The colors dazzle! The time-lapse segments are fantastic. There are some inconsistencies in fleshtone rendering. The HDR contrast is spectacular, with an incredible range of deep blacks to brilliant white levels. Resolution is excellent, with fine detail exhibited throughout. This is a visually engaging documentary that delivers a vibrant and colorful picture experience. Every frame looks terrific! (Gary Reber)

The 3D Blu-ray Disc delivers a terrific three-dimension picture, with the image-quality attributes of the 4K Ultra HD edition essentially in tack. The color palette is vibrant and nicely saturated. Spatial dimensionality is spectacular, far enhancing the spectacular scale of our engineered world. Depth is impressive. This is a great visual experience that maintains all the naturalness and dimensionality of advancing non-human technology. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack features a lively and diverse music score that effectively provides a sonic foundation from one transition to another. Atmospherics are nicely supportive and realistic during the live sequences. Over all of this is a narration by Jeff Bridges, who is presented forward front and center. Surround activity is heard in the music and sound effects, which often are enhanced with deep bass.

The Immersive Sound element consists of sound effects objects that are infrequently heard, mostly consisting of wind sounds, a brief helicopter, firecrackers, whooshes, crowd chatter, underwater sounds and a rocket blast. No music. The height aspects of this soundtrack are not really noticeably effective, leaving a lot of missed opportunity.

While the soundtrack is credited as Dolby Atmos, as with others, it is disappointing, as the height layer really is not effectively used and is infrequent. Still, the ear-level sonics are satisfying and effective. (Gary Reber