IMAX: Flight of the Butterflies [4K UHD]

Now having a 3D Blu-ray library that comprises of a few hundred titles, I have become very trustworthy of certain brands and the quality presentation they promise. IMAX has always been at the top of my list when it not only comes to quality 3D releases but providers of sound entertainment and often memorable learning experiences. Someone on Facebook recommended Flight of the Butterflies as a worthy 3D release. Though I can't say at the time I was a big fan of butterflies, I was intrigued that this title was packaged as a 4k and 3D Blu-ray combo for a very luring pricepoint. I ended up buying it for just under $22, but looking at price history, this has dropped to under $12 from time to time on Amazon. IMAX features tend to run under an hour in length. Many of them are shown to the public as part of a larger exhibit. As thus, the purpose is to keep the public entertained without taking up their entire day. Flight of the Butterflies clocks in at 44 minutes, which is perfect for holding my attention on subject matter that I didn't think I would actually enjoy. After all, I'm purely vested in this for the 3D. As is not so uncommon after watching these IMAX releases, I walked away with a new perspective on its subject matter. Through the use of excellent storytelling and immersion through amazing sight and sound provided by my home theater, I actually walked away with a greater appreciation of the Monarch Butterfly. The 3D presentation is top-notch. The Imax cameras provide us with American and Mexican landscapes that are full of deep depth. There is plenty of WOW factor with images projecting themselves forward at the viewer. Imagine a swarm of butterflies coming off the screen and soaring before your eyes. The pop-out is not as "in your face" as I have seen on the best 3D titles out there, but the out of screen experience is impressive nonetheless. In addition to butterfly wings and antennas protruding outward, there are also flowers and other foliage that break the bounds of the display screen. In addition to the remarkable visuals, I was further immersed in the story by the very busy and engaging Dolby Atmos soundtrack. There were some great overhead sounds of swarming butterflies and even a crop duster. In the quietest moments, it was truly amazing to hear the simple fluttering of wings coming from any of the 7 surrounding channels. I was just extremely happy that the Atmos track was included on the Blu-ray and it makes for a very captivating presentation. Image quality is as spectacular as one would expect from an IMAX title, which is presented here with a wide open 1.78:1 aspect ratio. While very colorful at times, the filmmakers purposely dull the palette at certain intervals to give a better representation of the 1950s time period that is representative of the story. In conclusion, you simply go wrong with an IMAX 3D release. Every single one that I own has been demo material for anyone I have invited into my home theater. What is particularly nice about Flight of The Butterflies is that you get an all-encompassing package for 4k, 3D and 2D Blu-ray with an Atmos presentation for all formats. What more could you ask for?

I originally caught Flight of the Butterflies on a CBC documentary television program while I was at the gym. It completely hijacked my attention and left an impression that had me talking about Monarch Butterflies for days after like I was some kind of crazed lepidopterist. The wonderment of the Monarch Butterfly and its seemingly miraculous migration cycle is a testament to the built-in majesty of nature that exists between the terrifying pieces. Not only is the journey awe inducing but the butterfly itself is a mesmerizing creation of evolution that couldn't be any more perfectly engineered to navigate such a harrowing adventure over three countries. Interwoven within the story of the migration cycle is a human journey chronicling the 40 year investigation of where the Butterflies went each year by Canadian Doctor Fred Urquhart and his wife Nora. There is also a subplot involving a couple in Mexico, Ken Brugger and Catalina Aguago, who helped resolve the mystery. All three of these components builds an emotionally compelling and informative narrative that elevates the 44 minute film into something much more than an IMAX nature documentary. Although, I'm sure that the IMAX and 3 D versions of this film are most impressive, it still works without those features because it is so thoughtfully and sincerely put together applying technologies that have never been seen before on film to reveal the most brilliant secrets of the Butterfly. Emotionally the film, whether intentional or not seems to resonate within me for its ability to convey the search for meaning. The butterflies have their meaning instinctually built into their DNA. That doesn't make it any less remarkable or emotional, especially as displayed so wonderfully by the movie. As humans, we are more complicated in our pursuit of meaning. Dr. Urquhart had a precious and illusive gift bestowed upon his life by the butterfly which was a meaning and in a fairytale ending he saw that meaning fulfilled achieving full circle a purpose. Not everyone will be so lucky to behold such a path as Dr. Urquhart but to vicariously follow him through 40 years onto a impactful conclusion is especially cinematic, inspiring and triumphant. Being amongst the butterflies in the actual mythical location where they winter is also something not ever filmed. I'm not a fan of making such fabled and sacred spaces tourist sites for people to flock to in order to achieve some sort of therapy so being able to spend time there through this special movie is another worthwhile reason to watch Flight of the Butterflies. I must recommend viewing of the special feature available on the Blu-ray that goes behind the scenes, a making of featurette that details the technology used in certain sequences and the great care taken to film in the natural butterfly sanctuary. It seems like everyone involved in making this movie was deeply effected and highly committed. The amount of respect afforded to the subjects of the film is definitely felt, from the superb acting, to the brilliant cinematography which is eye popping to the gorgeous score and special effects. The two actors portraying Fred and Nora Urquhart, Gordon Pinsent and Patricia Phillips, both respectively offer such graceful commentaries on their involvement in the project that I was moved by their sentiments over their characters. Also the last living member of the film's human subjects, Catalina Aguago, appears in the Behind the Scenes feature. So if you've ever had any fascination of the butterfly, great or small, Flight of the Butterflies is sure to be a surprising and positive experience that may leave you talking butterflies for days.

impressive photography and story line

I watched this film on Netflix, but I was really excited to see it in 3D - and wow, what an upgrade! It's the definitive version of the movie and even though it's not feature-length, it really does impress. It's a great way to show off a nice 3D display without committing to a long Hollywood Blockbuster - and it's also a very interesting story to boot. Definitely pick this up if you're looking to add a beautiful nature documentary to your Blu-ray 3D collection. Kudos to Shout Factory for packaging the 4K UHD and 3D discs in one package - major studios should follow that example. I definitely plan to pick up the other 3D films in this collection.

a good story about the migration of monarch butterflys from Texes to Mexico vivid coulors

It was filmed wonderfully. And the 3d was great. Highly Recommended.

ESTA PELICULA LA RECOMIENDO MUCHO. OJALA Y LA VEAN ANTES DE VISITAR EL SANTUARIO DE "EL ROSARIO". EN EL ESTADO DE MICHOACÁN, MEXICO. VALE MUCHISIMO LA PENA VERLA EN FAMILIA.

Siempre quise ver este documental cuando salió en IMAX pero nunca la exhibieron en mi ciudad, así que me puse a buscarla en internet para comprarla y vi que Amazon la tenía a un excelente precio y que mejor que en un paquete que incluye las versiones en 4K, 3D, 2D y copia digital quitando al fin el obsoleto DVD. Recomendable el documental como la gran mayoría que se han hecho por IMAX y más si te interesa saber sobre esta increíble migración de tan frágiles insectos. PD. Me sorprendí de que el audio español latino venga en DTS-HD 5.1, algo que muy pocas películas incluyen.

I watched the 3D blu-ray version of "Flight of the Butterflies" with a home cinema 3D projector on a 92" screen and the picture quality is outstanding. The 3D effects are excellent and doesn't give a headache. Since I don't have a 4K player, I guess the 4K disk image quality is even better (but not available in 4K 3D). The "making of" documentary is also very good (but not in 3D). French audio track also included. La trame sonore en français est disponible pour le documentaire.