Last week, on the big IMAX® 3D screen, the Smithsonian of Natural History opened up National Parks Adventure.
This film pays homage to the 100-year anniversary of the U.S. National Park Service with a sincere reflection on what wilderness means to us all. The 49 minute movie takes audiences to picturesque locations across the country… from the tops of mountain cliffs to nature’s ice palaces. The film, narrated by Academy Award® winner Robert Redford, goes beyond the typical Nat Geo. or Discovery documentary and follows a trio of three adventurers in their quest to experience America’s wildest, most historic, and most naturally beautiful places.
In a somewhat emotional narrative, you discover more about the trio’s personal lives as they explore the parks. Clips of people triumphing over nature’s challenges are also accompanied by footage of the animals who have made our national parks their home. Accompanied with humor, two personal favorite scenes from the film feature interactions with furry friends that jump out of the
screen at you that makes it impossible not to smile.
Beyond breathtaking beauty and charming animals, the film uses historical re-creations as a time-warp to explain the history of our parks and the threats they face today. With a nod to environmental poet John Muir, National Parks Adventure uses 3D polaroids to encapsulate the value, purpose and legacy of Theodore Roosevelt’s preservation of our world. Although somewhat activist themed, a majority of the film is peaceful grandiose visuals of our nation parks, which now make up lands three times the size of England.
Toward the end of the film, Greg MacGillivray reveals some environmental undertones by recognizing how everyday people like local woman’s clubs have fought to save and preserve our country’s 
parks. With subtle product placement sponsors Expedia, Inc. and Subaru of America, Inc., the film’s overall majestic visuals overcome slight moments of cheesiness.
Perhaps one of last movies shot on iMax film, we recommended going to check out this short film with family or the nature lover in your life.
