Nature’s Journey Blu-Ray Disc

• Original High Definition Production designed to showcase the true potential of HDTV.
• Seasonal and Elemental Loops create a welcoming ambient environment.
• Mastered using unprecedented High Bit Rate video encodes.
• 37 Mbps VC-1
• Original score by Michael Stearns in Ultra High Fidelity 96/24 Surround
• 96/24 DTS-HD Master Audio Lossless
• Strict adherence to proprietary Digital Reference Standard assures ultra high quality picture and sound

Produced in High Definition by Video Artist John Banks and featuring a 96/24
Soundtrack by Michael Stearns, Nature’s Journey is a sensation of natural sights and sounds transformed by the unique artistry of these visionary filmmakers.

Escape to a mysterious inner universe where nature and imagination meet to form a realm of extraordinary beauty. Let Nature’s Journey unleash a brand new sensory experience in a genre-bending mix of location filming, subtle computer-generated imagery, exotic musical soundscapes and artistic graphic enhancements that draws you deep into the magical heart of our planet Earth. Learn more at Artek.com

Video showman John Banks returns with the third DVD in the acclaimed “Illuminated Manuscripts’ series, ‘Nature’s Journey.’ Now, for those who are fans of the first two offerings in this run, don’t think you’ve seen all Banks has to offer. In fact, for fans of this series, let me assure you, this latest package is Banks’ finest work by far.

First off, as much as one can go on at length over the tremendous job done on the first two volumes by composer Fritz Heede, this time around the music has been done by Michael Stearns, the genius responsible for the absolutely captivating score to the DVD ‘Chronos’, one of the spectacular efforts that started this entire line of entertainment. Stearns approaches each segment with his customary skill and finesse, of course. But, as always, there comes a point in almost every track where he simply sweeps the audience away with his undeniable lyrical magic.

Still, the review so far makes it sound as if the music of Michael Stearns is the only reason to pick up this offering in the series and nothing could be further from the truth. As always, the video segments are highly pleasing to the eye-first, simply as video wallpaper, but then as one gets caught up in the game of ‘spotting the special effects.

For instance, as the video begins, the music and the nature scenes combine to make a pleasant viewing package. But, before long, one begins to notice the addition of the special effects. They are subtler this time, more hidden, working behind the scenes to enhance rather than to dazzle. And then, once the audience thinks they have the pattern down, suddenly the effects cut loose and are everywhere at once.

This is a splendid little package, and a welcome addition to the “Illuminated Manuscripts’ series. Fans of the United States National Parks system will see many a familiar scene, but in ways they never imagined. From the fabulous blending of music with the thunder and rain of one dark green forest scene, to the tinted clouds in the
‘Fire’ sequence which appear to be lava, this disc is filled with all the sounds and sights one expects from this exceptional series.
As always, the main set of features runs over an hour, and then there are the eight distinct loops ready to use as endless wallpaper action. Oh that Banks, he just gets better and better.

By: C.J. Henderson
(Author: The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction Movies)