Big Picture Big Sound

The Film

Gearheads rejoice, for Open Wheel Productions has turned their attention to the world of Indy-car racing with this Blu-ray release of Super Speedway, which follows Michael Andretti and his legendary father Mario Andretti as they have a new car designed and engineered for Michael from the ground up for the upcoming racing season.

The new car is put through its paces in test runs, wind tunnel tests, and finally in actual tournaments as the season begins and Michael and his team are forced to solve design problems with the engine, the tires, and more.

Paralleling the story of the new car being built is Mario Andretti's classic Indy-car being rebuilt as well, and the contrasts between the old designs and modern technologies are astonishing. Safety has come a long way in this still dangerous sport.

Open Wheel's IMAX cinematography puts the viewers right down on the track or in the drivers seat for a thrilling adrenalin rush that is sure to please the NASCAR crowd. There are also quite a few wide-lens shots that place viewers in the grandstands, or right in with the pit crews -- you can nearly smell the oil and exhaust or the burning rubber on the tracks.

The Picture

Super Speedway is another typically well-done Blu-ray release from Image Entertainment. Although it does not look quite as sharp and detailed as some of their other releases such as Coral Reef Adventure or the 8k mastered Grand Canyon Adventure, the balanced contrast, natural colors and relatively clean 70mm source give this 1.78:1 AVC/MPEG-4 transfer a strong appearance.

The numerous high-speed scenes captured from the race cars are rendered flawlessly, displaying no motion artifacts and the empty grandstands of the speedways in the background are detailed enough to see each individual seat. So, although this may not be the best-looking IMAX title from Image, it is still good reference material.

The Sound

Offered in English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 options, Super Speedway has an exciting surround presentation that will give any home theatre system a vigorous workout. The lossless DTS-HD MA mix takes each channel and fills it with the roaring of engines, screeching tires, the twisting of metal and the driving (no pun intended) soundtrack. The low frequency extension is deep, as crashes boom with authority and the engines rumble realistically. Of course, any IMAX title also relies on its narration and for this title the narration is clean and intelligible, as spoken by movie-star-cum-racing-aficionado, the late Paul Newman.  

The Extras

The supplements offered on Super Speedway are quite lackluster to be frank. Apart from a truckload of trailers for other  IMAX titles on Blu-ray available from Image Ebtertainment, and a short "Making Of" video, there's only what seems to be the typical throwaway trivia quiz and trivia facts included on every release and the BD-Live feature, which feels tacked on, adding no compelling bonus materials whatsoever.

• Live Connection (BD-Live) -- There's not much on this BD-Live feature, but for some more information on MacGillivray Freeman films and access to a very quiet BD-Live-based online forum.
• Trailers (1.78:1/HD/DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1):
  • Coral Reef Adventure
  • Journey Into Amazing Caves
  • Magic of Flight
  • The Living Sea
  • Mystery of the Nile
  • Greece Secrets of the Past
  • Hurricane on the Bayou
  • The Alps
  • Dolphins
  • Super Speedway
  • Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag
• Making of Super Speedway (4:3/SD)
• Film Trivia Quiz -- Answer multiple-choice questions based on the film.
• Fast Facts -- More fun trivia about Indy cars.
• Stephen Low - Director -- Director Bio

Final Thoughts

Super Speedway is a good Blu-ray title to use as demo material for one's home theatre system and the content is certainly exciting, though its appeal may be mostly limited to the auto-racing crowd.

Where to Buy

• Super Speedway (IMAX) on Blu-ray Disc (Amazon.com)

Product Details

• Actors: Mario Andretti, Paul Newman, Michael Andretti
• Director: Stephen Low
• Video Codec: AVC/MPEG-4
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Audio/Languages: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French & Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: Not Rated
• Studio: Image Entertainment
• Blu-ray Disc Release Date: February 24, 2009
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• List Price: $24.98
• Extras:
  • "Making of" Documentary
  • IMAX Trailers
  • Trivia Quiz
  • Fast Facts and more!