This film began shooting about eight months before Katrina occurred by Mac Gillivray Freeman. The Executive Producer is the Audubon Nature Institute and presented by The Weather Channel. It is narrated by Meryl Streep. This film turned out to be a haunting document of Katrina's powerful effects.

They had originally planned to show what could happen to the city's cultural vitality, wealth, wildlife and future without doing preservation of the wetlands. Then Katrina happened so it became real life.

It is a very interesting and educational film. It does not get into all the problems and politics that we saw on TV. We could see the beauty before, during and the destruction afterwards with the big Imax cameras from boats and planes.

It follows four musicians through out their eyes and the burning hopes for a revitalized future. The film shows how changing the Mississippi, depleting the wetlands, making canals, etc. left New Orleans vulnerable to the killer winds and rising waters which it was once sheltered from.

The film also shows the tremendous value New Orleans and Louisiana is to our nation. This city is a treasure and center for music, food and enjoyment of life itself. This movie also shows its beginning recovery. You will all enjoy the film and the music. It is encouraging, education and uplifting.

Also available at the IMAX is Jane Goodall's Wild Chimpanzies, Antarctica, Africa's Elephant Kingdom, and Everest. They are all a treasure to see.

Call 816-513-IMAX for KC Area Times.

Review by Marieann Koehler