Living Sea returns by popular demand
by David Whiteman, reporter

    The Living Sea, one of the most popular large-format, IMAX films in recent history, is showing at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History’s Omni Theater.

    The film will show daily through Oct. 25, along with Journey into Amazing Caves and Titanica.

    Originally released by MacGilivray Freeman Films in 1996, The Living Sea has been a favorite of IMAX theater audience.

    Recently brought back to Fort Worth as part of OmniFest 2001, a film festival based on viewer input, The Living Sea is to be kept for the fall schedule due to its popularity, Robert Esterlein, director, said in a press release.

    The Living Sea features music by Grammy-winning artist Sting and is narrated by Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep.

    With the IMAX’s phenomenal 70mm, multi-image projection, the audience will be taken on a wondrous journey both above and below the surface of the world’s ocean.

    As viewers are transported to another world where life began on the Earth, they journey with scientists, the Coast Guard, surfers and even island natives to explore underwater wonders.

    Viewers watch the large, gentle humpback whales that have slowly regained in numbers after almost succumbing to extinction.
As well, audience members can view thousands of fish and a bizarre breed of jellyfish that has evolved beyond the use of its sting.

    Also featured are the amazing Palau Islands in the Central Pacific, which hold one of the largest coral reefs and an ecosystem that has remained almost completely isolated.

    Also with the help of scientists and their Remotely Operated Vehicle, viewers can explore the dark depths of the ocean, over 3,000 feet where no man has traveled and where mysterious, almost transparent creatures live.

    The film also examines man’s relationship with the sea. The sea covers 70 percent of the earth’s surface, and man depends on it for oxygen as well as well as a food source, but man must respect the sea as he learns about it.

    The Living Sea is a remarkable film, and like many IMAX films, it surrounds the audience in a completely new experience.

    Through time-lapse photography, viewers see the drastic change of the tide over a long period of time.

    The one drawback to the film is its incessant scenes of Hawaiian surfers, which are supposed to relate another aspect of man’s relationship with the sea. However, the unnecessary scenes take time away from many different forms of sea-life such as dolphins or sharks.

    The Living Sea is an educational as well as a marvelous experience.

    Those who have never seen a film at the Omni should be prepared to experience dizziness and disorientation.

    The Living Sea and Journey into Amazing Caves take the audience on a journey of discovery definitely not to be forgotten.

    Ticket prices are $6.50 for adults, $5.50 for seniors (60+), and $4.50 for children (3-12).

    For show times and information, call 817-255-9300 or go to www.fortworthmuseum.org.