This is a pure self-indulgent nostalgia trip. And what a trip it is. I remember seeing Cosmic zoom as a very small child - around seven years old or so, I think -and being totally gobsmacked by it. The film stayed with me forever, and I dug it out a couple of years ago on the Tube.
While it's still an amazing concept and film, I remembered the animation as being so much more impressive than it really is, something like the descent to Jupiter in 2001: A Space odyssey. I guess modern CGI is to blame for that, not to mention the progress of old father time.
I think the reason Cosmic zoom sits so deep in my memory, apart from the fact I loved space and science fiction as a kid, is that I remember seeing the film lots of times one particular school holiday. They used to repeat morning programmes back then (plus ca change), and it was on at the same time, very early, every morning for a week or so.
So the visual 'wow' factor may have receded fast just like the imaginary camera in the film, but the feeling it gave me is still there. The first time I saw this was probably the first time I ever really just stopped and thought about the big picture beyond my own little world - shame they're not showing this every morning now instead of music videos. And speaking of music, it's interesting to note the warm, scratchy soundtrack that sets the mood for this film - Boards of Canada, anyone?
Power of 10 (a simliar, later educational film)
Links:
Kees Boeke
2001: A space odyssey explained
Boards of Canada
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