Aliens of the Deep

Yes, the work they're doing is mind-boggling and important, but sometimes the images alone are more than capable of speaking for themselves.

That IMAX 3-D cameras have plunged so deep to record an often bizarre array of sea creatures undoubtedly delivers a certain 'wow' factor, but the accompanying commentary is heavier on breathless excitement than solid fact.

A master showman's large-format documentary, a movie with great images, great special effects and the sheen of Hollywood often missing in these museum or science-center movies.

The experience is so immediate and immersive that you actually feel as if you are swimming with the krill.

Here we know only that Cameron and his bright-eyed young scientists (who take turns narrating) are heading to the deeper parts of the Atlantic and Pacific to observe the environment and life-forms down there.

Often thrilling.

A fascinating science lesson for anyone interested in either deep-sea -- or outer space -- exploration.

It's not usual for documentaries to ingest the sci-fi genre, but in this case it's an eye pleasing and mind boggling excursion, beautifully realised and seamlessly integrated into the film.

The far more interesting stuff is back here at the bottom of the sea.

Once you get used to the "awesome" and "wow"-heavy dialogue, James Cameron's excursion into both 3-D technology and deep ocean trenches delivers some fascinating footage.

Even if these plants and animals did not exist, we may have already invented them, courtesy of those sci fi special effects magicians working overtime for the past decades.

The final shot, in particular, is awesome, and confirms that the sooner Cameron gets back to making proper movies, instead of Boys' Own diversions, the better.