Swim, leap, dive and sing among some of the largest animals on Earth – shown life-sized on the six-story screen – beginning Fri., Feb. 13 as The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk joins in the national release of the new IMAX® movie “Humpback Whales.”
Under the helm of two-time Academy Award®-nominated director Greg MacGillivray, MacGillivray Freeman Films focuses its acclaimed giant-screen storytelling skills on one of the oceans’ most enormous and fascinating creatures.
“Humpback Whales” will play at 1, 3 & 4 p.m. daily at The Maritime Aquarium, the popular South Norwalk family attraction whose IMAX movie screen is the largest in Connecticut.
Narrated by two-time Golden Globe nominee Ewan McGregor and presented by Pacific Life, “Humpback Whales” invites audiences to dive head-first into the mysterious realm of these 55-foot, 50-ton aquatic mammals. Once feared as monsters, and very nearly hunted to extinction, today humpbacks are in the midst of a slow but remarkable recovery.
“Whales are awesome animals,” MacGillivray said. “They are critical to the ecological health and survival of the ocean and, because they are among the largest animals to ever live on Earth, there is no better subject for audiences to experience life-size on the giant screen.”
IMAX is the world’s largest film format, presenting the brightest, clearest images at almost 10 times the resolution of standard-projection formats. The imagery, combined with The Maritime Aquarium’s 12,000-watt laser-aligned digital surround-sound and customized theater geometry, creates the world's most-immersive movie experience.
MacGillivray Freeman Films is creator of some of the most popular giant-screen films ever shown at The Maritime Aquarium, including “The Living Sea,” “Dolphins,” “Coral Reef Adventure” and “To the Arctic.” For “Humpback Whales,” the filmmakers apply all of their cumulative cinematic experience in telling one of the most compelling wildlife stories of our time: how humpbacks were brought back from the brink of destruction, setting off a new wave of scientific discovery and human fascination with their one-of-a-kind, gargantuan beauty.
In a splashing mix of stunning IMAX imagery, underwater splendor and scientific exploration, the film takes audiences to Alaska, Hawaii and the Kingdom of Tonga for a close-up look at how these whales communicate, sing, feed, play and care for their young.
“Humpback whales are at the center of an environmental story that offers great promise,” said executive producer Tennyson Oyler, vice president of Brand Management for Pacific Life. “With the end of commercial whaling, humpbacks are steadily recovering from near extinction. This film transports audiences into their mysterious world for a close-up look at how truly remarkable these animals really are.”
“Humpback Whales” is the third film released under MacGillivray Freeman’s One World One Ocean series, following “To The Arctic” and “Journey to the South Pacific.” The One World One Ocean Campaign is a multi-platform campaign using the power of film, television and new media to inspire, educate and connect millions of people worldwide in a common purpose: to protect and restore the health of the ocean. Learn more at www.oneworldoneocean.com.
An Educator’s Guide with pre- and post-visit activities, created by the film’s producers, is available for schools coming to The Maritime Aquarium on a field trip to see the film. Download it at www.maritimeaquarium.org/imax-movies/imax-movies. Area teachers may come in advance of their students to preview “Humpback Whales” (or any current IMAX movie) for free at any regular show. Advance registration is required. Teachers should call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206, to arrange for their free ticket.
“Humpback Whales” was produced by Shaun MacGillivray, written by Stephen Judson and has a musical score by Steve Wood. The family-friendly film is 40 minutes long.
Also playing in The Maritime Aquarium’s IMAX Theater from Feb. 13 to May 21 are: “Island of Lemurs: Madagascar” at 11 a.m.; “Born to Be Wild” at noon; and “Great White Shark” at 2 p.m.
Tickets for an IMAX movie at The Maritime Aquarium are: $9.50 for adults; $8.50 for youths 13-17 & seniors 65+; and $7 for children 3-12. Kids 2 & under are admitted free. Maritime Aquarium members receive $2 discounts.
Discounted combination tickets to include a visit into The Maritime Aquarium with an IMAX movie are: $24.95 for adults; $22.95 for youths & seniors; and $17.95 for children 3-12.
View the trailer of “Humpback Whales,” buy tickets in advance or get more details online at www.maritimeaquarium.org.