Review of Super Speedway: IMAX

Introduction

The dual stories of the development of the Newman-Haas Indy car into a winning package and the restoration of a 1960`s Indy car once driven by Mario Andretti.

The viewer is taken on a journey from design and initial testing of the modern car, through the highs and lows racing to a triumphant finale. At the same time progress on restoring the original Indy car gives a more laid back and less technically advanced feel of racing in the old days, until finally Mario Andretti gets back behind the wheel of his roadster.

All aspects of the life of a driver both on and away from the track, including spending time with his family and relaxing give an insight into what is for some the premier racing family in the USA.

Mario first helps Michael on the track and suprises his son with his speed before they take to some of the fastest road courses in the world, relentlessly searching for reliability and speed. Wet weather driving and spinning the car in the corners all culminate in the first race of the season. Disappointment follows before success is achieved at a later race.

Mario then looks back on his long and distinguished career before taking a drive in one of his first cars, and original Indy front engined roadster.

Video

A picture that is framed in 4:3 and produces rich and vibrant colours throughout. The full screen image does not detract from the overall effect of both speed and tranquillity with the depth of colour and detail achieved particularly in the final autumnal roadster scene a definite highlight.

Audio

The IMAX sound components have been down mixed to provide a spectacular Dolby 5.1 soundtrack. The low frequency area is given an excellent work out by the on car sequences of racing at the oval circuits, with separation between left and right as well as front to rear wonderfully achieved throughout.

A soundtrack of this power and subtlety with high pitched, high volume engine screams combined with the music of Matt Monroe at the end gives a wide spectrum of sounds to test your system.

4 complete language selections are available on the disc in 5.1 surround sound, these being; English, French Canadian, Mandarin and American Spanish.

Features

Included is a 49 chapter feature of the making of Super Speedway, showing how shots were achieved and the technical difficulties that were encountered with using the IMAX camera system on a platform such as a modern day race car. To go into detail here would spoil the effect of the main film but suffice to say it is well worth watching.

The menus are animated, but the full number of chapters is not available from the menu. A nice touch is that the corresponding section of the making of feature is also accessible from the same menu.

The commentary throughout by Paul Newman is informative and does not detract from the overall feature.

Conclusion

This disc is a superb choice both for the race fan and as a disc to show off the capabilities of your system. Interest can be found in all areas of the disc with both high tech racing and softer human stories given equal time and space to develop.

Director Stephen Low has produced a work of great achievement working within the tight confines of a major professional motor racing series with a format so specialised as IMAX.

The story flows well and the change from modern to restoration is admirably achieved without feeling as if you are jumping in and out of each story. The use of vintage footage to explain points of interest regarding the safety of the new cars and Mario first driving the (un)restored roadster are excellently employed.

The soundtrack not only complements the images displayed but also enhances them, giving them a life and vigour that is seldom achieved in the documentary field. A disc to definitely play when the neighbours are out.

Not only does this disc tell the story of racing it also tells the story of the Andretti family, who some people would say are the premier racing family in the USA. It shows both on track concentration and off track relaxation with friends and family.

One word of warning is not to watch the making of feature before the main documentary. Although a highly entertaining production in its own right, it does take away some of the mystique of how such a beautiful image was captured from just behind the drivers head. Although when you see how it was achieved, heads will shake and lower jaws will hit the floor.