Tom Selleck Movie:

		List Price: $19.99		Label: Image Entertainment Salesrank: 7075 Released: June 29, 2004
		Our Price: $12.19
		Used Price: $11.00
		MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated) Media: DVD

Editorial Review:
The Magic of Flight (39 min.) takes you on a technological thrill ride faster, higher, and wilder than modern science or even your imagination! Relive the historical first flight of the Wright Brothers in 1903, then soar with the world-famous Blue Angels as they defy the laws of gravity with their most breathtaking maneuvers. Narrated by Tom Selleck, The Magic of Flight highlights and salutes a variety of modern aircraft, the people who fly them, and the human potential of training and performance. Ever wonder "how did they do that?" "The Making of 'The Magic of Flight'" (42 min.) puts you behind the camera and provides further insights into the world of aviation and the techniques used to get some of the most amazing airborne footage ever captured on film. Shot using high-definition cameras, "The Making of 'The Magic of Flight'" captures the enthusiasm and excitement of the crew who made this groundbreaking film. Disc 2 includes the complete feature in Microsoft Windows Media High Definition, playable on your PC.

Description of The Magic of Flight (IMAX) (2-Disc WMVHD Edition):
Fly with the U.S. Navy's elite Blue Angels demonstration squadron in the breathtaking video The Magic of Flight, which explains the basic principles of what enables airplanes (and birds) to fly, what creates lift, how planes maneuver, how planes land again. Going back to the Wright Brothers' experiments at Kitty Hawk, the documentary explores how the intrepid bicycle makers ruminated on the elements of flight for many an hour before even attempting to assemble their first aircraft. The Blue Angels put into action the discoveries made by the Wright Brothers, as they make their selections, train, and perform.

Pilots push their high-performance fighter planes through difficult but graceful maneuvers for amazed air-show audiences, demonstrating where the state of the art really lies for 21st-century flying. For all the skills of the pilots, however, the most astonishing part of the video would have to be the camera work, with cameras mounted on the planes' bellies, noses, and cockpits to give an up-close view of what the machines are really capable of. Planes fly arm's length apart during maneuvers where the slightest misstep would mean certain catastrophe. The Magic of Flight does indeed go a long way toward capturing the wonder of flying, with spectacular camera work, editing, and production. --Jerry Renshaw

The Magic of Flight (IMAX) (2-Disc WMVHD Edition) Reviews:
A classic!
2009-07-08 - I live in the same town the Blues call home so I have seen this numerous times. Every time I have viewed I am even more in awe of how these men and machines perform!
Until this order I have only viewed Magic of Flight via IMAX. I ordered this as a Father's Day gift for for my dad, a naval aviator. I expected to be somewhat disappointed as only having seen on the IMAX but that wasn't the case at all! The footage is just as excellent on a small screnn.
This is a classic for all interested in flight. Dad says he might watch it every night. It's especially nice to watch him watch and relive his life's work.
Shipping was fast and the product was well packed.

good
2009-06-03 - My 5, 3, and even 1-year-old love this movie. It's a fun way to learn about jets and airplanes and be entertained at the same time.

Great aviation DVD
2009-06-02 - Excellent aviation DVD! The only reason for not rating it higher, is I've seen the "Blue Angel" segment previously on another TV program.
JTB in NC

Awesome DVD
2009-01-24 - Very entertaining and presented very excellent, the history and the knowledge will keep you watching it with your children over and over again...

A Brief Yet Captivating Magic Act
2008-11-05 - "The Magic of Flight" was originally released in IMAX theatres, and would certainly have been impressive to see on the (very) big screen. The production, narrated by the mellifluous Tom Selleck, is a visual feast, and traces the evolution of powered flight from the Wright brothers to the Blue Angels. The tidbits of history are interesting, but it is clear from the outset that the stars of the show are the Blue Angels.

The film is short (about 39 minutes), as are most IMAX releases, but is generally well-paced and captivating. I found a few of the trails the director went down to be a distraction from the central theme of the film (e.g. showing some of the members of the Blue Angels lifting weights and running to stay in shape, etc.), especially with this short of a running time. The interviews with pilots were generally good, but they frequently devolved into platitudes about "being born to fly" and "being at one with the aircraft", etc. Perhaps, though, I am bit hypercritical of this aspect as a longtime airline (and former Air Force) pilot: it's not that the interview segments are bad, they're just very bland and homogenous.

Overall, I thought this was a very strong effort and well worth the money if you are interested in high performance flying.