Actor(s): Mario Andretti, Paul Newman, Michael Andretti
Director(s): Stephen Low
Publisher: Image Entertainment
Binding: DVD
Brand: NEWMAN,PAUL
Language(s): English
EAN: 0014381324228
Studio: Image Entertainment
Movie Description
One of the best directors of IMAX films, Stephen Low (Titanica) has always been a race fan. After obtaining permission from CART, a governing body of Indy car racing and Newman/Haas racing (a Championship team co-owned by Paul Newman), Low found his stars for Super Speedway: the racing Andrettis, father Mario and son Michael. Mounting cameras fore and aft on the Andrettis' cars, IMAX offers a better vantage point than an ESPN camera, at a superior grade of clarity. Add to that the excellent sound and you can "feel" the bumps on the asphalt as the cars zoom in and out of corners. The large format can turn a pit stop into a dramatic 12 seconds as we see the driver's eyes dart away from his cockpit for a few brief seconds. We watch Michael Andretti on oval tracks and exciting road courses going over hills and sharp turns. There's even a spin--probably staged--from an angle we've never seen before.
Although true race conditions were impossible (the camera is just too bulky), Low sneakily edits his film to stretch the imagination. On race day, several Indy cars drove alongside the camera car hours before the main event, passing and drafting each other with crowds whizzing past them. When edited with footage of the race, it feels like the real thing. Low takes a few off-beat choices in setting up his story. The first image is the biggest chicken you've ever seen. The last shot is a '50s car (lovingly restored during the film) racing through perfect golden foliage on an autumn day. It gives his movie of modern technology a wonderful sense of nostalgia. --Doug Thomas
Fasten your seatbelt and get ready for the ride of your life! Super Speedway puts you in the driver's seat of an Indy-type race car tearing up asphalt at speeds of over 230 miles per hour. Follow the excitement and drama of championship auto racing with narrator and celebrated actor Paul Newman, and join racing star Michael Andretti and his legendary father, Mario, as they craft a state-of-the-art race car. Then, follow the pulse-pounding action of Michael's high-speed quest for victory as he pushes the limits of the new car at the PPG CART World Series. So start your engines - Super Speedway is about to begin!
Ever wonder "how did they do that?" The Making of 'Super Speedway', shot on High-Definition Video, takes you behind the scenes, letting you explore the movie magic of making a groundbreaking documentary in the largest film format in the world. A revolutionary chapter selection menu gives you the option of jumping scene by scene from in front of the cameras to behind the lense.
Disc 2 includes the complete feature in Microsoft Windows Media High Definition, playable on your PC.
If you enjoy loud surround sound, this is a must have disc - either for Blu Ray or DVD. This thing is pure audio porn! Whenever I want to impress somebody with my surround sound setup, I pop this one in, dial it up to 11, and blow them away.
The blu ray video quality is very impressive; IMax spares no expense and it shows. However, if you want true reference quality blu ray picture, I recommend 'Baraka' or 'Planet Earth' in lieu of this film.
I have only watched the actual film once the whole way through. And, to be honest, it is very 'meh'. It's a typical IMax documentary meant more for theme parks than a home setting. So in other words, it's short, shallow, and low on replay value from a story standpoint. It's also getting a dated at over 10 years old. I would like to see them re-visit Indycar, or better yet, do something with F1.
One warning, be sure you're receiver can decode DTS-HD Master Audio, otherwise you can't listen in English.
A long time audiophile, this is my #1 recommended reference audio blu ray (and DVD) disc.
"Let's go racing."
Written By: E. Ozza
Full HD ? Yes. Blu ray quality? Yes. Everyting is perfect. I will also stress the details in the sound quality. It makes you feel like you are racing on TV yourself. At two scenes, there is wonderful music with footage as the race car speeds in the track. Amazing.
"My favorite movie"
Written By: Alejandro Torres Ituarte
It's a excelent movie, and now in blu ray you can view it at 1080p
"Wisconsin Raod America Fan"
Written By: M. Bentdahl
Loved this documentary focus on one of the greatest race-car drivers and sportsman. I live near road america and had my two sons with me the day Mario drove the track with the I-Max camera attached. The filming at racing speed is awsome. I had the DVD version first and the Blu-Ray version and audio is a vast improvement over an already great film. Thanks IMAX for bringing this to Blu-Ray.
"Excellent!"
Written By: Ben Stockman
Already had owned a DVD version and loved it. I just recently updated the set to a 65" 1080i so I up graded to the Blu-ray version and it is as amazing as expected. Because all Imax movies are filmed with such large film when copied onto blu-ray the resolution and clarity turn out extremely well even for a movie that was filmed in 96. My favorite comments from one of my friends was "If I was standing next to the camera I don't think I could see what we are now watching" that's how clear it is. Sound is also very good.
"Fantastic Surround Sound Reference Disc"