by Stephen Stelmak
Staff Writer
Everything may be bigger in Texas, but everything is amazing in Alaska. Gigantic mountains and polar bears amaze you in one the best IMAX films that has ever come to Houston.
The opening sequence of the jagged Alaskan mountains made the audience members grip their armrests. From there, the film went on to chronicle some of the most astonishing sequences in nature photography.
Those who have only seen the aurora borealis on Northern Exposure will be awestruck. The northern lights radiate color and encompass the immense screen in a dazzling display.
There are glaciers that crackle with white thunder and fields of ice so dense that almost all the light in the spectrum is absorbed. However, there is much more to the film than bizarre geology.
Alaska's animals are captured brilliantly. Though there are a couple of cutesy, sickly sweet moments for the kiddies, there are also thundering herds of reindeer, bears ripping apart spawning salmon, wolves, yaks and whales.
No other medium could appropriately convey the scene where the male yaks battle for mates. Those interested in whales will get an eyeful during spectacular scenes of whale pods, or groups, swimming and feeding in the Alaskan water.
In one sequence, a pod of whales swims circles and blows out air bubbles under a school of small fish. Once the fish are caught in the vortex, the whales shoot towards the surface, huge mouths open, engulfing the fish.
"We got caught in the whales circling," said director George Casey when he was asked what his most interesting experience was while filming Alaska.
Alaska doesn't dredge up the Exxon oil spill or spend time on environmental messages. Instead, it focuses on diverse and entertaining nature.
For lovers of the outdoors, this movie will be like no other nature show ever seen. People who don't like the usual type of documentary nature shows will still be impressed by the imposing displays of ice and beasts that fill the screen in the magnificent Alaska. For daily showtimes at the Museum of Natural Science, and to order tickets, call 639-IMAX.