The Universe: 7 Wonders of the Solar System Real 3D import

The Universe: 7 Wonders of the Solar System is a success as not only a film but as a 3D release. It's far from the best currently on the market, but this A&E disc is priced right and more often than not looks quite good for what it is and all it has to work with. The film is made primarily from computer animated graphics. A small digital spaceship takes viewers around for a jaunt through the solar system, heading on out towards Saturn and making a U-turn back towards Jupiter, Mars, and the sun before heading back home to Earth. The graphics look quite nice, though it's clear the bulk of the money went into the heavenly bodies, leaving the spacecraft to fend for itself in graphics that might have looked good in a video game from a few years back. Still, the general detailing of it all is quite good; the image is extraordinarily crisp throughout, and colors, whether the bright blue waters of mother Earth or the fiery orange shades of the sun's photosphere, are all exceptionally bright and satisfying, particularly when offset against the perfectly black backgrounds. Back on Earth, the film's primary live action attraction comes in the form of several scientists offering their thoughts on the various places and events highlighted throughout the film. The image takes on a satisfying if not visually routine HD video sheen, revealing seamless detailing and fine colors. Unfortunately, slight banding, occasional shimmering, moderate blocking, and a few jagged edges bring down the score by half a point or so, but none are necessarily causes for alarm; they're never obtrusive and likely only to be noticed by the most eagle-eyed and demanding of audiences.