Review: ‘Awesome Planet’ is an environmental message wrapped in a real estate tour
The new movie, “Awesome Planet,” in The Land pavilion at Epcot in Walt Disney World, is a cross between a real estate tour and an environmental message.
Narrator Ty Burrell is a perfect match for the film as he channels his character Phil Dunphy, the real estate agent from “Modern Family”
The 10-minute film starts out with a sales pitch. It’s all about location, location, location. After all the planet is in a good location, just far enough from the sun and even has a moon to control the tides.
He then brings us through the various “neighborhoods” on the planet – the deserts, the grasslands, poles, mountains and even underwater. All the way through he continues with the showing off the “real estate.” After all, if you’re in the ocean and want to know what the schools are like – ask the fishes.
The film includes some fun effects. When the aurora borealis is shown on the screen, lights are flickered from the back to give a sense that you are there. The same takes place during lightning strikes. Various scents are pumped into the room and you might feel a nice mist all over you as well.
The nature images are phenomenal. Think of it as a Disneynature highlight reel. If you are a nature nut, like I am, you will love it.
As we end our tour of the Earth, our real estate agent needs to warn us of the problems with the old Blue Planet. The climate is changing. We are getting harsher winters, hotter summers, melting glaciers and increasing water levels. And you can make a difference.
It’s here that the environmental aspect of the show comes in, but in a very subtle way. There is no preaching and the end of the movie directs you to where you can find more information if you want to do something and get involved.
Upon leaving the theater, many of the younger guests expressed how they enjoyed the show because of the water and the other effects.
This is a great place to rest for a bit and see some phenomenal nature video. The show goes toward the education aspect of Epcot and is a good respite for the entire family.
