Video Librarian - July/August 2011
This installment of the 13-volume MegaWorld series, originally aired on Discovery Channel Canada and hosted by Kevin Brauch, profiles the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates—a perfect subject for a series that explores countries by focusing on innovations in science and technology. Oil-rich Dubai certainly qualifies, given its nonstop building and access to cutting-edge engineering methods. Employing fast cuts and zooms, along with plenty of computer simulations, aerial footage, and an energetic soundtrack, Dubai easily holds the viewer’s attention while spotlighting an array of interesting examples of creative projects and attractions, including artificial islands in the shape of palm trees, high-stakes camel races that rely on joysticks, and the world’s largest aquarium—which required moving 65,000 fish from the Arabian Sea. Segments are obviously produced for their “wow” factor rather than for their science value, but if students think that engineering is cool after seeing a Dubai SWAT team using robotics or watching souped-up drag racers zoom around a new high-tech track, then this slick production could be well worth taking for a classroom spin. The other titles in this series are Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, Hawaii, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United States. Recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (E. Gieschen)