Imagine you are high in the canopy of the Amazon rain forest, being stalked by a jaguar on the forest floor, swimming with piranhas in the murky Amazon River, and climbing the great mountains of Peru. All this adventure and danger can be experienced without taking a chunk out of the bank or leaving San Diego.
The Rueben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park was a buzz Sept. 29 with a private IMAX screening of the 1997 documentary “Amazon” in its Dome Theater. “Amazon” is an Academy Award nominated documentary short, directed by Kieth Merrill, investigating the mystery and majesty of the fairly unexplored Amazon rainforest.
Inside the Science Center, prior to the screening, was a buffet of Brazilian cuisine and brief performances of traditional Peruvian dance.
The film begins in the mountains of Peru following a local shaman, Julio Mamani, searching for a remedy to cure ailing family members. His journey deep into the Amazon rain forest is aided by a stunning visual descent down the Peruvian Mountains into the Amazon basin.
The film then introduces a parallel quest for medicines by American ethnobotanist, Mark Plotkin. Both men seek undiscovered medicinal plants by befriending local peoples and trading to fund their adventures. On their separate journeys, they encounter a colorful array of animals and Amazonian tribes.
Plotkin searches the Amazon for information about certain remedies used by locals that could prove useful in the development of western medicine. The documentary also stresses the urgency to preserve the Earth’s rainforests.
The aerial views of the rainforest and the delta of the Amazon River are truly impressive. Along with the natural scenery, the filmmakers tease the viewer with quick glimpses into the lives of the interesting wildlife. It is, however, unfortunate that the filmmakers did not include more footage and information about these fascinating animals that call the Amazon rainforest home.
Linda Hunt, known for her roles in movies such as Pocahontas and Stranger Than Fiction, is poorly cast as the narrator who sounds more spooky and dramatic than informative and welcoming. Information is crammed into multiple story lines within a thirty-eight minute time frame.
Overall, it was a bit of a disappointment; the film had unbelievable potential. It had spectacular shots of the canopy, the Amazon River at sunset, Machu Picchu and indigenous tribes-either the content should have been simplified, or it should have been longer.
In no way is “Amazon” a bad film, rather, a decent one that is mildly fun and entertaining. It’s an informational film to see while spending the day in Balboa Park, but by no means should anyone go out of the way to see this movie.
“Amazon” opens Oct. 1 at the Rueben H. Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado San Diego, CA 92101.
Visit http://www.rhfleet.org/site/imax/index.cfm for additional information about show times and tickets.