The Movie
I don't have a bucket list, so snowboarding is not something I have any intention of ever trying, but that doesn't mean it isn't a hell of a lot of fun to watch. That seems to be the main idea behind Curt Morgan's movie The Art of Flight, which brings this amazing sport to the masses.
It is a documentary, but executed with a bold, distinctive style. His subjects--all men--are the best kind of crazy: fearless, philosophical, and yet never taking any of this extreme lifestyle too seriously. We see them zipping all around the globe in search of the best powder on the most epic slopes, chasing winter and facing head-on (in some cases head-first) all of the hazards that come with the territory. These range from the obvious (injuries) to less obvious (avalanches) to the truly humbling (volcanoes!).
Along the way, we visit some of the most breathtaking, isolated scenery that the Earth has to offer, often requiring the gang's helicopters to fly in ways I never knew were possible. Because the locations are so difficult to reach, this elite level of the sport is not exactly for spectators, and so a testament like The Art of Flight has the power to share with audiences experiences that few will ever witness first-hand.
The Picture
The video is wonderfully crisp, with a striking depth of focus that brings a welcome immediacy to the proceedings, the 16:9 frame balancing well the ubiquitous whites and colorful snowboarding gear and outfits. Keep your eyes peeled for barely-there details like a hazy moon and the director's use of pencil-thin graphic overlays that accentuate the connected nature of the world in which we live.
Of course, much of the wow factor comes from the staggering natural beauty of some of the most remote destinations on the planet, magnificently photographed, often alive with millions of tiny, twinkling ice crystals. I thought one scene was tainted by significant noise, but it turned out to be a fresh, live snowfall. There are minimal streaking, edge enhancement and contrast issues, but not enough to knock The Art of Flight down from our highest rating.
The Sound
The Dolby audio/video trailer transitions wildly, seamlessly into the movie itself, as this movie is clearly a source of sonic pride for all involved. The TrueHD 7.1 channel soundtrack boasts aggressive rears and powerful bass: There's no nodding off during this one! "Real" effects (it's a documentary but it was not entirely recorded with a 7.1-headed microphone) such as wind and helicopters surround us, while the music--a variety of songs that drive the images--show off a broad mix and fine precision, particularly in the trebles. A strong, non-stop complement to this exciting ride. A home theater demo disc if ever there was one.
The Extras
A one-minute run down a mountain comes with hours and hours of downtime, and this disc allows us to see (in HD) what these guys do on their days off, whether its snowmobiling, fishing, practicing or just goofing around for the camera. The lengthiest bonus feature (20 minutes) reveals the many challenges involved in making a movie as specialized as this, while otherwise unused footage (exquisite aerial photography, boarder point-of-views, bits and pieces) are neatly assembled for our enjoyment. Our editor, Chris Boylan tells me that this project may be headed to an episodic piece on one of the pay TV networks, and it's easy to see that, given the glimpse into what was not included in this 84-minute film.
Also included are a six-minute look at the omnipresent risk of avalanches and how the pros deal with it, a three-minute montage of wipeouts, and a pair of music videos. Disc Two is a DVD of the movie (in a choice of Dolby Digital 5.1 or 2.0) and all special features in standard definition.
Final Thoughts
If you don't have the opportunity to see The Art of Flight on the big screen (as our editor Chris Boylan was fortunate enough to do, courtesy of Dolby at Dolby's screening room in San Francisco), then watching this Blu-ray on a kickin' home theater is the next best thing. We only hope that your picture is big enough, and your sound expansive enough to impart the necessary scale, clarity and impact to effectively convey the thrill of world-class snowboarding that this film embodies.
Product Details
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