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Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk

Released Mar 14, 2008 43m Documentary List
78% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 60% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Robert Redford narrates this environmentally conscious documentary, which offers a rafting tour of the majestic Grand Canyon. Throughout the adventure, the filmmakers question the water consumption habits of contemporary Americans, while contrasting these current trends with the practices of the Native Americans who previously inhabited the Colorado River basin. The documentarians also explore ways in which Americans could develop a more harmonious relationship with their natural water sources.

Critics Reviews

View All (9) Critics Reviews
Roger Moore Orlando Sentinel A good IMAX film usually combines eye-popping visuals with a 'teachable moment', a little history, geology, biology or what not, tucked in between the pretty pictures. Grand Canyon Adventure more than fills that bill. Rated: 4/5 Oct 16, 2008 Full Review Tom Keogh Seattle Times Grand Canyon is such fun to watch with its superb, 3D quality that it's impossible not to be more caught up, albeit temporarily, in the illusion of getting splashed than in the unsettling realities of the environmental crisis it describes. Rated: 3.5/4 Mar 21, 2008 Full Review Ronnie Scheib Variety Paradoxically, the beauty and splendor of the Grand Canyon...almost belies this docu's dire ecological message Mar 17, 2008 Full Review Chris Hewitt St. Paul Pioneer Press Ostensibly, Grand Canyon is about threats to the river that quenches the thirst of much of the West Coast, but the movie is all over the map. Rated: 2/4 Jan 9, 2009 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Although muddled at times from its cross-purpose agendas of trumpeting conservation and establishing a story arc that never quite congeals, "Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk" is a lush look at a journey that few people will ever experience except vic Rated: B- Apr 15, 2008 Full Review Jim Lane Sacramento News & Review The word 'adventure' is a bit of an overstatement... Rated: 2/5 Apr 4, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (26) audience reviews
Audience Member Fairly interesting eco-documentary about the water-starved Colorado river, following ecologist Wade Davis as he tracks the changes and braves the rapids. The 3D Imax cameras only really come into their own during these brief sequences. Robert Redford contributes a bland narration and there's a surplus of music from an outfit called The Dave Matthews Band. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Watched this instead of going dog-sledding because my school sucks. Many reasons to hate it. Thankfully the cinematography is nice enough Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member I absolutely hated this film. The most uninteresting movie I have ever had the displeasure of viewing. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member I remember when I first got my 3D TV I was desperate to buy this, it looked amazing, and I couldn't wait to experience the depth and beauty of the Grand Canyon. When I got round to watching it I was a bit disappointed, purely because the repetition of camera shots of the Canyon and the dull narration was giving me a bit of a headache. But now I have re watched it and my mind has changed! I love all the cinematography, it's stunning, the narration still has a few dull spots but you don't have to pay attention as the 3D is immersive enough to distract you. Water splashing into my glasses and amazing close ups of the Canyon edges, it was breathtakingly shot along with plenty of pop out the screen moments, I did like some of the information and people featured in the documentary, it was interesting. The best part of this experience is the water rafting as it was so exciting! River At Risk gives you a new dimension and viewpoint of the Canyon, and it will take you on a fun adventure. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Audience Member PHENOMENAL!! Narrated by Robert Redford with great music by the Dave Matthews Band, this powerful and thought-provoking IMAX 3D documentary is about the threat to the Colorado River at the Grand Canyon. It explains the growing shortage of fresh water and what we can do to help our environment because we are ALL in this together! The Grand Canyon shots and the thrilling ride through raging rapids and breathtaking canyons was captured beautifully by the Imax cameras and it felt like you were going down the rapids..Spectacular 3D effects on this one...Sweeping aerial shots as well to be enjoyed on a big screen HDTV make this one a must see and buy blu-ray!! I cannot stress enough to WATCH THIS IMAX DOCUMENTARY IN 3D!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Wow, the Grand Canyon as I'll never see it otherwise. This 3D IMAX feature (on Blu-Ray 3D) is shockingly real with amazing sights. Of all the 3D programs I've seen so far, this is the best (closely followed by the NASA spacestation 3D). When you watch this, I suggest: 1) don't hold anything in your hands as you will need to grab your arm rest to hold on thru the rapids and 2) bring a towel--your going to get wet. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk

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Movie Info

Synopsis Robert Redford narrates this environmentally conscious documentary, which offers a rafting tour of the majestic Grand Canyon. Throughout the adventure, the filmmakers question the water consumption habits of contemporary Americans, while contrasting these current trends with the practices of the Native Americans who previously inhabited the Colorado River basin. The documentarians also explore ways in which Americans could develop a more harmonious relationship with their natural water sources.
Director
Greg MacGillivray
Producer
Greg MacGillivray, Mark Krenzien, Shaun Macgillivray
Screenwriter
Jack Stephens, Stephen Judson
Distributor
MacGillivray Freeman Films
Production Co
MacGillivray Freeman Films
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 14, 2008, Limited
Release Date (DVD)
Mar 26, 2013
Runtime
43m
Aspect Ratio
IMAX (1.43:1)