Living in the Age of Airplanes Blu-ray Review

"Living in the Age of Airplanes" offers an absolutely stellar video presentation on Blu-ray, encapsulating a 1080p, 1.78:1-framed image that captures the viewer's attention from opening scenes of decrepit aircraft to the latest in aviation technology. The high-resolution Arri Alexa digital camera used for filming brings out a level of detail rivaling that of 70 mm IMAX film, making the presentation sharp, crisp, and richly textured. The footage showcases terrains, humans, and animals with striking clarity, highlighting intricate details whether set in dense airport shops or close-ups of animal fur. The film’s vivid colors, ranging from roses to winter coats in the Arctic, and natural landscapes, are particularly noteworthy, adding authenticity and vibrancy to every scene.

The encoding leverages AVC MPEG-4 to its fullest potential, ensuring smooth playback and immaculate detail especially in complex scenes such as unsheathed jet engines and plane-mounted camera shots that contribute a 3D-like depth, creating an immersive visual experience. Blue skies, pastel sunsets, and lush greenery are captured with dazzling precision, standing out as some of the most lively colors seen in a Blu-ray disc. Black levels reach substantial depths, and skin tones remain true to life throughout. Although minor banding and slight aliasing appear sporadically, these issues are limited and do not significantly impact overall viewing quality. This is a reference-quality video presentation from National Geographic, marred only by a single instance of banding in bright forward-facing airplane lights during night landings.

The audio presentation of "Living in the Age of Airplanes" on Blu-ray stands out with a masterful DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack. The sound engineering is precise and well-balanced, achieving remarkable clarity from the highest treble to the deepest bass. The jet engine roars are impressively detailed, making the experience immersive. Directional effects are expertly executed, such as during a powerful scene where an airplane's roar transitions seamlessly from the front to the back of the soundstage. Additionally, Harrison Ford’s narration is consistently placed front-center, maintaining clear and detailed audio throughout.

The 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track establishes an impeccable soundstage that harmoniously blends dialogue, effects, and music. Ford's voice-over, while slightly less dynamic in range, exudes clarity and precision. Engine sound effects are particularly notable, capturing multiple layers of spinning, pressure, and rushing air, creating a robust auditory experience that envelops the listener. One standout moment features a plane’s engine transitioning smoothly within the sound arena as it zooms into the frame, enhancing the visual narrative.

The score, composed by the late James Horner, is the heart of this mix, enveloping viewers in mood and emotion with its masterful simplicity. The music enhances the imagery without overpowering it, showcasing a superior quality that stands out compared to typical scores. Horner's work provides a rich auditory experience that elevates the film's overall impact.

The Blu-ray extras for "Living in the Age of Airplanes" offer a rich and engaging exploration into various aspects of aviation and the film's intricate production process. The additional footage includes pristine visual experiences such as "Alaska Flying" with stunning glacial flybys and "Flight Over Africa," which notably recreates the bi-plane sequence from 'Out of Africa.' Behind-the-scenes features like "Impossible Shots: Visual Effects" delve into crafting key special effects scenes, showcasing the rare use of VFX to maintain a largely practical approach. Partner videos provide a technical look into aviation innovations including "The Future By Airbus" and FedEx’s operational intricacies in "The Super Hub." Each feature is crisp, well-produced, and adds layers of context and detail to the film’s narrative and technical marvels.

Extras included in this disc:

• Alaska Flying: Scenic aerial footage over Alaska.
• Flight Over Africa: Recreation of scenes from 'Out of Africa.'
• Hawaii (Deleted Scene): Reaching remote Hawaiian locations by plane.
• Plane Spotting: Take-off and landing clips shot across five continents.
• Alaska Flying II: Aerial footage with pilot-radio communications.
• Theatrical Trailer 2: One of the film’s promotional trailers.
• Impossible Shots: Visual Effects: Insight into crafting key special effects.
• Flower Sequence Deconstructed: Process behind the film's flower scene.
• Making of the Alaska House: Building a globally-sourced Alaskan home.
• 3 Stories in 4 Minutes: Brief behind-the-scenes look across three segments.
• Seeing Aviation for the First Time: Children in Kenya experiencing aviation.
• In-Flight Premiere: Overview of the film’s unique airborne premiere.
• The Future By Airbus: Vision for Airbus' future planes.
• The Super Hub: Inside FedEx’s operational hub in Memphis.
• Adaptive Cycle Engine: Overview of GE's latest engine technology.
• The A320neo Family: Insight into Airbus’ A320neo series.
• Meteorology at FedEx: FedEx’s internal weather monitoring.
• GE9X First Engine Run: Initial testing of GE's new engine.
• Dream to Reality: Assembly process of an Airbus A380.
• Why Memphis?: Reasoning behind FedEx’s Memphis hub location.
• GE Masterclass: Introduction to jet engine mechanics.

"Living in the Age of Airplanes" is an exceptional documentary that explores the profound impact of aviation on modern society. Narrated by pilot Harrison Ford, the film intelligently traverses through five chapters detailing how air travel has transformed human existence. Starting with "The World Before the Airplane," it juxtaposes the primitive means of travel with today's rapid, efficient methods, underscored by aged archival footage seamlessly transitioning to breathtaking high-definition visuals. Ford's narration is both engaging and informative, providing insights with a grace that complements the film's narrative without overpowering it.

As the film progresses through segments like "The Portal to the Planet" and "Redefining Remote," it effectively illustrates how airplanes have not only made distant places accessible but have also interconnected global societies in unprecedented ways. A striking demonstration follows the journey of freshly cut flowers from Kenya to Alaska within hours, a visual exemplar of aviation's role in commerce and global connectivity. Ford's narration elevates the material further, casting air travel in a positive light and steering clear of its wartime applications, focusing instead on its societal benefits.

The final chapter, "Perspective," encourages viewers to rethink their common grievances with air travel, emphasizing its awe-inspiring nature and transformative potential. The film's technical prowess is notable; stunning visuals, fluid editing, and a compelling soundtrack create an immersive experience that rivals IMAX standards despite being viewed on Blu-ray. The transitions between chapters are seamless, maintaining narrative coherence while highlighting aviation's evolution and its pivotal role in shrinking the world metaphorically and literally. Overall, "Living in the Age of Airplanes" is an illuminating tribute to modern aviation, reinvigorating a sense of wonder towards air travel and its monumental achievements.

"Living in the Age of Airplanes" on Blu-ray delivers an exceptional viewing experience, rejuvenating one's awe for aviation—a feat few contemporary documentaries manage. The film is impeccably crafted, featuring breathtaking cinematography that seamlessly conveys the majesty and marvel of modern air travel. Its pacing ensures viewers are captivated from start to finish, thanks in no small part to the eloquent narration by Harrison Ford and the soaring, evocative score composed by James Horner. Each scene is meticulously presented, highlighting the transformative impact of airplanes on global connectivity and cultural exchange.

Technically, the Blu-ray release excels across all audio-visual parameters. The high-definition video captures intricate details with stunning clarity, bringing out the vivid colors and dynamic range needed to fully appreciate the film's visual grandeur. The audio mix is equally impressive, enhancing the atmospheric and immersive quality of the viewing experience. The inclusion of supplementary materials enriches the primary narrative, providing deeper insights and reinforcing the film's educational value. These features contribute substantially to the overall package, offering a comprehensive understanding of aviation's evolution and its profound effects on our world.

Living in the Age of Airplanes is a magnificent film. Its only real shortcoming is that it's too short. Even as it says all it needs to say, it's so absorbing, well done, and fascinatingly structured that one only wants more from it. There's not much higher praise than that. National Geographic's Blu-ray release is superb, boasting high-end video and audio along with a nice allotment of extra content. Very highly recommended.