I was very impressed. I bought this strictly from recommendations on the
Let me start by saying that this is a 50-minute IMAX feature film released
recently on DVD by Image Entertainment. It retails for $19.99. Also
included is a 45-minute feature about the making of this IMAX film. "Super
Speedway" originally came out in 1997, and was shot in 1996.
"SS" was made with the cooperation of the Newman/Haas racing team, as well
as CART and other racing teams. The film deals mainly with the design,
construction and performance of and Indy car. Mario Andretti is the
featured driver, along with his son, Jeff. It is narrated by Paul Newman.
An 80-pound IMAX camera was mounted in various positions on a three-year-old
Indy car that did not need to adhere to CART's rules. More downforce was
necessary, and the horsepower was raised to more than 1,000. While some of
the action sequences were filmed with just Mario in the camera car, and Jeff
in his regular Indy car, there was a full-speed racing sequence shot prior
to the '96 Toronto race. There are also sections that take you to
Cosworth's and Lola's garages for the actual design and construction of the
cars; very interesting.
So how does it look and sound? Many people on the DVD newsgroup have said
that this is one of the best sounding discs, and I must agree. While you
won't be blown out of your seat with low-end rumbling, tornadoes, bus
crashes or explosions as in other discs, you will be treated to amazingly
crisp sound as you have never heard it before. At more than 200 m.p.h., on
a track all to yourself, you can really hear how the car moves through the
wind and its environment. there's these incredible "whooshing" sounds when
a bridge is driven under, for example. Since this disc features Dolby
Digital surround sound, in all its glory, you will feel like you are the
driver, with the sounds from your opponents coming from every direction.
Visually the film is stunning as well. First of all, the IMAX format uses
film that is 10 times larger than standard 35mm, so there is incredible
detail to each frame. Now, just imagine a camera strapped to the roof of an
Indy car traveling more than 225 m.p.h. Believe me, you've probably never
seen racing footage like it. The sense of speed really has to be seen to be
appreciated!
Along with the great racing action, there's a terrific sub-story which
involves a 1960's roadster that is found in a barn. In fact, it is the
first roadster that Mario Andretti raced! We watch as the car is dragged
out of the barn, and towed to the garage, where eventually it is completely
restored, right down to Mario's name on the side. Mario honors the cars
owner by taking it out for a cruise on a country road which is straight out
of "Need For Speed III".
Of course, we find out how all of this was done in the 45-minute "Making of
Super Speedway", which I found to very interesting, not just from the
logistics but from a technical perspective.
"Super Speedway" is a disc which deserves to be in every race fan's library,
as well as every film lover's library.
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Peace, love and Monkeemobiles,
Galley