Mummies 3D: Secrets Of The Pharaohs (IMAX)

Mummies: Secrets Of The Pharaohs 3D is the IMAX 3-D production that unravels the enshrouded human time capsules that have become the most fascinating mystery of our time—Egypt's mummies. Probe ancient tombs to uncover these carefully hidden phenomena, and experience the dramatic adventure of their excavations. Follow top scientists as they embark on a modern-day forensic investigation of the mummies, extracting clues from our past that could have an enormous impact on medical science in our future. Narrated by Christopher Lee. (Gary Reber)

Special features include a making-of featurette (HD 22:23), trailers, and BD-Live functionality.

The 1.78:1 1080p MVC 3-D picture exhibits excellent depth perception, for a quality presentation. Stereoscopic conversion was performed by Sassoon Film Design. Image Entertainment worked with Big Picture to optimize the 3-D image for home viewing. Unfortunately, faint double image ghosting artifacts are apparent throughout, but not regularly. Still, for serious
enthusiasts, the irregular ghosting will probably be a bit distracting once detected. Yet the imagery and wide scope is amazingly impressive and displays excellent resolution, with detailing and color rendering that is exceptional. This is evidenced in finely textured sands, stones, and various Egyptian artifacts seen in the presentation. The golden tan tint of the sand-encased desert floor and the golden earthen hues of various elegantly-decorated rooms and sarcophagi are vividly depicted. Fleshtones are perfectly natural. Contrast is excellent throughout, which translates to excellent blacks and revealing shadow delineation. The imagery appears absolutely fresh and pristine. The sense of natural perspective and depth is amazing, with objects clearly offset from one another, which enhances the sense of realism. This is nicely demonstrated as a group of men are shown walking up the side of a rock formation to the pharaoh's royal tomb. Overall, this is a wonderful 3-D experience, with faint ghosting the exception, and sure to fascinate with its marvelous attention to detail and color. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is superb! A sweeping orchestral music score permeates the soundfield. The soundstage is wide and deep. The surrounds are energized as well. A solid low-frequency foundation provides the perfect balance to both the music score and the various atmospheric sound effects that define the larger-than-life soundscapes. In one scene, a powerful thunderstorm pours with rain. The .1 LFE energy often extends to the sub-25 Hz range but consistently sounds undistorted. Sound effects are distinctively heard and at times impressively localized, all the while sounding perfectly natural. The overall naturalness of the soundtrack is superb, and combined with the natural 3D, pulls one into the storytelling in a way that is mesmerizing. Christopher Lee's narration is nicely balanced and always intelligible. This is a well-produced soundtrack that will not disappoint. (Gary Reber)