User Reviews

I admit, I was intrigued by this film simply because it is about the Grand Canyon, and I am so intensely interested in it for all that it is. Thus, going into this film, I was simply excited to see the Grand Canyon in visual detail. I came out a happy camper -- excuse the pun -- and don't regret seeing this film.

The film is, by means of its own title, a message about preserving the canyon's waters and a viewer would have to be a fool to think that this is a nature film about the details of the canyon's history, geology, botany, etc. Never in my right mind would I think it to be about any of that, simply because of the title and -- of course -- reading what the movie is about ahead of time. (Duh!)

That being said, I feel there were many positives about the film that I enjoyed. The cinematography was incredible, and the effects were top-notch. I often felt like I was right there in the canyon, itself; particularly during the river rafting sequences. I often waited for water to sprinkle out onto me (though this is no Disney park attraction!) Also, the soundtrack was excellent and very fitting for the amazing scenery.

Sure, there were many elements that I'd have to disagree with. I wouldn't have had so many narrators speak to the audience, and I would have presented more opposing views that counter-argue or give praise to what IS being done to preserve the canyon -- instead of making us all seem like evil-doers who have this centralized plot to overthrow the country's Indian tribes. Yes, I would have to say that a more positive focus should have been placed in the film -- but hey, it's not my thesis.

Thus, I liked the film for what it was and not for what it was SUPPOSED to allegedly promise us the minute we purchased our tickets. I appreciate the breathtaking views that this film provided, in just 45 minutes, that not all people may get to experience in their entire lifetimes. For that, I am thankful.

This was a very good way to appreciate the wonders of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River without flying out to Arizona. I thought the experience of seeing this on the IMAX screen was a particularly good use of this medium. You really felt as though you were shooting down the Colorado rapids, with the spectacular scenery of the Grand Canyon all around.

Some of the comments on this board disparaging the film must have been due to the overt political grand standing the film makers felt compelled to subject their audience to. While the cinematography was outstanding, the political/environmental commentary less so. The film makers seem to make a big deal out of blaming global warming for the drought in the western US, but that attribution seems like a stretch, especially given what happened to the native Indians thousands of years prior (vanished due to drought, long before the combustion engine, let alone Hoover Dam).

The sanctimonious environmental preaching aside, this was an excellent movie, well worth checking out at your local IMAX theater.

I bought this film on bluray as I had got myself a 3D TV and wanted something that could show my sets 3D capability to the max. Well I wasn't disappointed in regards to this films 3D effects (especially the floating water bubbles at the beginning and the first water rafting scene) and the music composed and played by the Dave Matthews band is as beautiful as the scenery, but watching this film is like having a wet blanket of guilt draped over you for being human and living in a city. If there was an option to "Turn off" the narration and just listen to the music whilst watching the stunning scenery then I would give this film a generous 9/10.

Beautiful film about a one of the most beautiful places in America. Having just come back from an all-paddle trip down the Colorado, I can guarantee you that the film brought back many spine tingling moments on the river.

If you've recently rafted the canyon, you'll recognize many places seen only from the river. If you aren't able to raft the Colorado, this film comes as close as you can possible get without going there.

The name of the film is "river at risk", and after spending a week in a canyon with experts, I can certify that the title is aptly named. Yes, the film is part lecture and lesson, but how can you not look at lake levels at the Hoover Dam and not understand the problem.

Please don't listen to the that other review posted by the Haliburton CEO. I'm not sure he even went to the movie based on his comments. He's obviously very uneducated.

Go see this film. It's enjoyable from beginning to end, exciting, and important.

Save for some very nice white water rafting shots, this movie was a ripoff. Three different narrators preaching in pious and ominous tones saying things that weren't even self-consistent.

I went to this movie because I am going to the Grand Canyon next week and wanted to learn more about the park, the flora, fauna, the river, the geology, the anthropology, etc.. Instead, I got a 50 minutes sermon about nonsense like shower head flow restrictors. There was one convservation point that made sense: those using the water for agriculture should pay a reasonable amount for the water which will justify much more efficient irrigation methods.

I, as some other reviewers have noted, found the changing narrators confusing also.

We saw this movie at an IMAX. It was amazing to say the least. Whoever calls it "brainwashing" obviously didn't understand the real message, being that the Colorado River must be protected. If not for anything else, this movie is worth your time for the funky Dave Matthews tunes and the stunning scenic cinematography. Whether you get the chance to see this film at an IMAX (preferably), or at a conventional theater, you will, considering you have an open mind and a love for nature and all its amazing wonders like the Grand Canyon, certainly not be disappointed. These film makers are not trying to brainwash anybody. They have a passion for protecting our environment and have expressed that brilliantly through this film. I highly recommend it!

There must be better ways to "save the world's rivers" and combat Global Warming than spending 33 cents per minute on this misguided, misnomered Propaganda film. Maybe Large Format Films, especially those that require us to wear the 3D Goggles have run their course? This film offers no History of one of the Wonders of The World, but instead offers black and white photos of the "Kennedy Clan", exposes us to a Native American Female Guide who vandalizes the "Imported Japanese Trees" that are "driving out the native plants and trees that should be inhabiting the Colorado River Basin" with a long Bowie type knife! I thought these videos were reserved for You Tube? And then Insults and tries to guilt the Audience for excess water usage that is causing the Sudan River to dry up over the next 100 years. I may not be as environmentally sensitive as members of the "Kennedy Compound" or Robert Redford himself, but I thought the more immediate threat in Africa was the holocaust in Darfur? I don't know if taking shorter showers in Irvine, is really the most optimal way of helping the residents of the Sudan? Then the Producers go on a Rant about how the Dams of the mighty Colorado River, which include the Hoover Dam, were built on "miscalculations of rainfall in the region, and now it is up to Environmentalists to decide on the future of these dams". Warning Los Angeles and Las Vegas, these dudes are about to take your water supply away! Of course no one who knows history, has their wits about social responsibility and knows anything about the science of Ecology, is going to fall for this crock of garbage! Give to your favorite global warming associations and go Green. Don't rely on fools with money to guilt you into doing for the environment, what you already do on your own and feel good about yourself for doing it. Positive messages, respect for your audience and financial incentives by the government, water utilities and sane fund-raisers are the ways to slow down and eventually eliminate the water shortage problem and improve our world's climate. Arrogance, misuse of my $12 to fund the "Kennedy Compound" and Redford's film festival and ski resorts are monies not well spent. Give $12 to your Favorite environmental group or candidate who supports the environment in your hometown and feel good about yourself for doing it. Orange County residents are the best and every friend and family member I know is already doing something positive to maintain our beautiful environment!

I didn't see this in an IMAX theater, but on a 3d HDTV. In searching for material that demonstrates the technology, a shopper can be challenged unless you want four of the "Shrek" movies or horror films that are good for perhaps one viewing.

But this film is educational, beautiful and a spectacular subject for a 3D film. The soundtrack by Dave Matthews keeps any of it from being tiresome. The river rafting sequences are well-placed and the aerial shots inspiring.

The participants, Robert Redford and Robert Kennedy, Jr., add gravitas without being too heavy with the purpose of the film: Conservation of fresh water and the world-wide crisis.

This is a stunning film visually, and the camera spends a great deal of time "in love" with its subject: the American Southwest.

A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT.

Don't waste your time or money.

This is not a film about the wonders of the vast Grand Canyon. I was anticipating a film that would explore the flora and fauna, the rock strata, the massive proportions etc. Sadly there was no information about the wonders of the canyon itself. I was not prepared for this propaganda packed film. That it was narrated by Robert Redford should have been the first clue.

This is a political/earth-worshiping film designed to guilt you into voting for candidates who "care" about the environment and all the poor Mexican families we are killing by irrigating our crops with water from the Colorado River.

You will learn about evil Asian trees that have invaded the canyon floor. You will learn about how a tribe of Indians used to farm the river banks and grow various crops but now the river banks are not suitable for this purpose. Gee...I wonder if that's because the Indians don't live there anymore and have stopped working the soil!?! I know when I stopped weeding my garden it became unsuitable for growing tomatoes. Also, you will learn how your spirit is wounded and needs healing. The good news is that you don't need Prozac, Zoloft or any other psychotropic drug from your doctor. No, all you need to do is "connect" with the mighty Colorado by dipping your hand in its healing flow. Mmm, feel the power!

In summary this movie tells us that we have been very naughty- The Kennedy's have discovered our misbehavior- and now we must re-connect with the river and replace our shower heads with new water saving models. If we act quickly we can save the dying Mexican families we've been killing by flushing our toilets and sprinkling our lawns.

Save your money and go see Ben Stein's film "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed."

Watched this a couple times on my 4k television. They try to compare pre dam images with today's water flow. The dams tamed the river and made life possible by having water always available year round instead of just during snow melt season. Anyway the pictures are just great and the boating scenes with the big rafting boats convinced me not to try this.

This should have been a great experience, even if it was a bit preachy.

However, some moron used the noise of one of the least talented people ever in the music business, Dave Matthews, for almost the entire audio. His nerve racking chalkboard on fingernails not only ruins any possible enjoyment, but distracts from whatever else is shown or said.

The visuals were working well. Most of us got this tape to see the video, and learn more about the area. True, Redford and gang made this into more of a propaganda film, but the propaganda is based on what I believe to be good Science, simply because it is Science without an agenda. No one gets rich by exposing global warming. Instead, the only corporate interests are in drowning out talk of global warming.

But this really shouldn't be about preaching politics. That is a bad format, and politics in a spectacle should be much more subtle. That said, the formula for the film probably could have been more informative than political.

The ideas were well founded, and structured in a decent way. This narrative could have been watchable, except for one thing. The grinding of Matthews and his band. It is IMPOSSIBLE for any one not on severe drugs to listen to this more than a few minutes, and we want to hear the narration. Matthews must really hate Redford to ruin his narration with this garbage.

This should be remade, with a better band. Of course there is always the chance that the narration will be equally ruined by some of the other no talent big name bands out there.

I was really looking forward to watching this but it was AWFUL because of two things. 1) The AWFUL music by the Dave Mathews Band. It was a horrible choice for this documentary. The music and the lyrics seriously took away from the documentary. It was too loud and not appropriate. The voices of the band OVERPOWERED the documentary. It was like nails on a chalk board or someone popping gum in your ear. Yes...it was that bad.

2) their only needed to be one primary narrator and that should have Ben Robert Redford with some from the I Ian woman and t guy who made it. They guys daughters were a distraction like the music.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!! Good intentions but bad decisions on how to produce it.

Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk (2008)

*** (out of 4)

Robert Redford narrates this "warning" flick that explains that the Colorado River might soon be a thing of the path due to several things including Global Warming. A group of people, including Robert Kennedy, Jr., travel through the Grand Canyon to show off its beauty while we learn why the river is so important. If you're worried about having another film preach at you about Global Warming then you might think twice about renting this film but thankfully the preaching isn't too bad so the visuals make the film worth seeing. I'll start with the preaching because your opinion on Global Warming and if it's real or not will probably throw in some politics that weren't really needed. The film starts off talking about water conservation, which I'm fine with but some of the comments were just a tad bit too doom and gloom for my liking. We're warned that the Colorado River might be gone forever if we don't act now but yet we never really get any evidence to back this up so I'm guessing the producers just wanted us to take their word. Yes, we're given a few photos showing how much the water has gone down over the past couple decades and we learn that Las Vegas takes up way too much water but there are things being done to help keep the water flowing yet these things really aren't mentioned. The main reason to watch this movie is for the scenery and boy do we get some terrific images. The stuff with the river is just downright beautiful and especially the scenes where they're white water rafting. Seeing the Grand Canyon so close really makes you jaw drop to its beauty and this here is reason alone to check out this 44- minute documentary.