Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D (2005)

88% of critics liked it
(32 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(1,681 ratings)

Twelve men who belong to one of the world's most exclusive fraternities -- people who've walked on the surface of the moon -- are paid homage in this documentary. Using newsreel footage, rare NASA photographs, and digitally animated re-creations, Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon examines… More Twelve men who belong to one of the world's most exclusive fraternities -- people who've walked on the surface of the moon -- are paid homage in this documentary. Using newsreel footage, rare NASA photographs, and digitally animated re-creations, Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon examines the Apollo missions between 1969 and 1972 which put astronauts on the moon. In addition to explaining the technological know-how necessary to take our fliers to the moon, the film shares the thoughts of astronauts about what they saw and experienced in space, taken from their speeches and writings and read by a cast of distinguished actors, including Paul Newman, Morgan Freeman, Scott Glenn, Bill Paxton, and many more. Narrated by Tom Hanks (who also co-produced), Magnificent Desolation was shot and originally exhibited using the IMAX high-definition film format. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 40 min.
Directed By: Mark Cowen
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Documentary

In Theaters: Sep 23, 2005 Limited
On DVD: Nov 6, 2007
Studio: Imax Corporation

Critic Reviews

Joe Leydon, Variety
Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon is an earnest but insubstantial Imax 3-D spectacle that, even at 40 minutes, seems unduly padded.
Anita Gates, New York Times
The illusion is impressive but incomplete, and therefore mildly disappointing. But I cannot deny having felt a little nervous when 'we' were standing too close to the edge at the Grand Canyon-like Hadley Rille. So clearly I am a liar.
David Hiltbrand, Philadelphia Inquirer
One of the astronauts describes his excitement during the lunar mission as 'like a kid playing in a sandbox.' Unfortunately, that could also sum up the film's visual content.
Kyle Smith, New York Post
Adults will be more than passably entertained by this short, patriotic feature, and kids will be entranced.
Jami Bernard, New York Daily News
Playful, inspirational.
Sheri Linden, Hollywood Reporter
Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D promises to put viewers on the lunar surface, and through previously unreleased photos and footage from NASA's archives, along with CGI and re-enactments, it pulls off the illusion.
James O'Ehley, Sci-Fi Movie Page
IMAX movie about the moon landings now available on DVD for the first time.
Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat
This is a mesmerizing film that serves as a reminder of just how amazing our country's space exploration has been.
Jim Lane, Sacramento News & Review
It's a stirring and persuasive plug for resuming in-person space exploration -- and it's a lot of fun besides.
Ross Anthony, Hollywood Report Card
Overall, the production successfully maneuvers through 2D and 3D nearby-space with a playful spirit of curiosity, experiment and wonder.
Larry Ratliff, San Antonio Express-News
Go see Magnificent Desolation on the giant IMAX screen and Tom Hanks will moon-rock your world.
Linda Cook, Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)
"Magnificent," indeed.
Annlee Ellingson, Boxoffice Magazine
In a cinematic era in which seemingly any feat or place can be generated for the screen, it's what these men said -- in mundane exchanges and insightful retrospection -- that stirs one most.
Norm Schrager, Filmcritic.com
condensing the moon program into roughly 60 minutes is a pretty impressive feat. Giving you the feeling of actually being part of it is even more impressive
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
Tom Hanks' folksy narration could be intended to bury as much as praise the space program: Apollo missions belonged to an era of American optimism unlikely to be revisited.
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International
As contrived as its title, Magnificent Desolation has the look and feel of a NASA fundraiser.
Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times
Offers the most realistic approximation of a moon visit that Earthbound mortals have ever seen.
Jack Garner, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
The movie's very realistic 3-D simulations and cleverly collated archival footage give filmgoers the best idea yet of what it's like to set foot on gray lunar soil.
Robert W. Butler, Kansas City Star
The film is fascinating history and unabashedly inspirational.

Read all 19 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Mark K

Caught this on a recent trip to the Kennedy Space Center, so there's nothing like being there to enhance your experience! This IMAX documentary is one of a series of excellent films made about one of humankind's great adventures: The moon missions. It takes you from the… More
Caught this on a recent trip to the Kennedy Space Center, so there's nothing like being there to enhance your experience! This IMAX documentary is one of a series of excellent films made about one of humankind's great adventures: The moon missions. It takes you from the origins through a lot of footage from the later missions that you may not have seen, and supplements the real footage with technically excellent simulations and re-enactments. Like its close cousin, From the Earth To The Moon series, its an inspirational and sometimes harrowing tale of the journey to our nearest neighbor. It's calculated to inspire, and it does. The sheer magnitude of what was accomplished is still pretty staggering. If you watch this and are not moved by the experience, then you either never saw any of the space program coverage over the last 40 years, or you just aren't awake. The kids in the film can't name the astronauts that did it, but it still captures their imagination and that nothing is impossible. Great narration, photography, and science fact. Recommended