Galapagos

Remember Aesop's fable about the tortoise and the hare? Turns out that foot races are not the only contests our fine shell-backed friends win: when it comes to longevity, a very lucky hare might live to the ripe old age of 15 (unless, of course, it resides in the Appalachians), while a giant tortoise could conceivably celebrate a 175th birthday. Nineteenth century naturalist/scientist Charles Darwin met tortoises, among other creatures, on his legendary five-year voyage aboard the Beagle (1831-1835), in which he visited the Galapagos Islands (a group of 13 major and several lesser islands off the coast of Ecuador) and studied variations in the local flora and fauna. In Galapagos, Smithsonian Institute marine biologist Carole Baldwin--a professional, if not literal, descendant of the father of evolutionary theory--is accompanied by an IMAX crew as she conducts research throughout the archipelago, collecting specimens both aboveground and from the ocean floor thousands of feet below. Narrated by Kenneth Branagh, and sporting a lovely score by Mark Isham, this mini-epic shot for the big (BIG) screen is consistently engaging on a visual level--as the cameras pan over diverse land and seascapes, zooming in on finches, sea lions, hammerhead sharks, eels, and more. Unfortunately, unlike the recent IMAX production Journey Into Amazing Caves (VL-9/02), Baldwin's story is not well integrated with the eye candy, making this more of an impressive slideshow than a compelling narrative. Optional. Aud: J, H, C, P. (R. Pitman)