Amazon MPAA Rating: G Entertainment: +4 Content: +3

Editor's Note: This film is Not Rated (NR) by the MPAA. This stunning new IMAX documentary brings the viewer closer to the Amazon river basin than they have probably ever been before. The film follows three men who have unique interests in preserving this area that is teeming with life. All three men are interested in the Amazon river for different reasons. Dr. Mark Plotkin is an ethnobotanist who struggles to find plant life that will cure diseases not yet conquered in the modern world. Julio Mamani (Adrian Villanueva) travels from his home among the peaks of the Andes mountains down into the basin to find plant-life that will cure the ailments of some of the people in his tribe. Sydney Possuelo explores the Amazon river basin looking for previously undiscovered tribes in an effort to save them from extinction. The film is filled with beautiful shots of deep, green valleys and canyons, soaring snow-capped peaks, and a wide array of insects, aquatic life, and land animals. There is even aview from within an ice cavern that has formed under a glacier. The IMAX experience of feeling like actually traveling to the Amazon and seeing these beautiful sights is priceless. If that werent enough, the learning that takes place through this film should give the extra push needed for people of all ages to see this remarkable film.

Amazon brings out two central issues regarding the river basin and its preservation. First, when Sydney discovers primitive tribes deep in the jungle, should he leave them alone, only contacting them when their land or lives are in danger. Or should he give them access to all of our modern technologies? This second option would be in an effort to help them in ways they cannot help themselves. Sydney definitely leans toward leaving them alone and artificially isolating the tribes, although it is clear that he struggles with this decision. Second, the other issue is in regard to ending physical suffering as we know it. Dr. Plotkin is scouring the basin to find cures to physical suffering as a result of disease and hopefully ending disease forever. It is impressive that in this relatively short 40 minute film two key questions are raised in such an engaging way. The film also contains a few scenes of nude natives, including male rear nudity, side female breast nudity, and nude children running through the village. None of these shots are exploitive in any way. They are simply documenting on film how the people in these jungle tribes live. Since the nudity does not appeal to prurient interest, this documentary provides a fine visual experience and a great opportunity for learning about such an important part of our world.

Preview Reviewer: John Adair
Distributor: Ogden Entertainment, 2 Pennsylvania Plaza, 25th floor, NY, NY 10121