By Ewan Morrison

March 1, 1999

Hold on to your beanies, folks, we're in for quite a ride. Despite its unfortunate name, the upcoming IMAX release Extreme should be well worth the price of admission, marking the first time the dynamic act of snowboarding will be included in an IMAX motion picture. IMAX is the largest, most-detailed film format going; the curved screens are usually about six stories high, designed to encompass even your peripheral vision.

Throw in a state-of-the-art sound system and you really get the sensation of "being there"-the on-screen effect is so realistic viewers often find themselves leaning into turns and throwing up their arms to prepare for collisions with seemingly onrushing objects. Extreme (ugh!) is not just a snowboarding flick, though. It will highlight several "adrenaline sports," like big-wave tow-in surfing, BASE-jumping, and rock climbing.

The snowboarding was filmed in the mountains surrounding Juneau, Alaska last spring, and riding talent included the likes of Craig Kelly and Terje Haakonsen. "The product should be good," said Craig Kelly. "It was kind of a pain in the ass-we shot almost all the runs from the heli, and keeping the rotor blades out of the frame was a real technical challenge. But I think the results are going to be pretty amazing. I can't wait to see it on the big screen." You'll get your chance to check it out on the big screen soon enough-Extreme is set to arrive in IMAX theaters sometime this spring.-E.M.