Cirque du Soleil Moves in Mysterious Ways in ‘Quidam’

The big top has entered the Digital Age. This week, Columbia TriStar offers the DVD of the acclaimed Cirque du Soleil’s magical “Quidam.”

The production was filmed in Amsterdam in April, after having toured the United States for three years. Directed by David Mallet, who did the recent “Cats” video, “Quidam” tells the story of a young girl who has seen it all and now believes the world has little to offer her. Suddenly, she finds herself in a most bizarre universe where she is joined by a clownish companion who presents marvelous and unsettling circus acts to her.

Thanks to good use of multiple cameras, the magic of “Quidam” comes across on the small screen. An added plus is that the DVD presents the production in the letterbox format. The soundtrack is in French, but one is able to access English subtitles.

*

If you haven’t had the chance to experience the amazing undersea world of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, check out the gorgeous “Coral Sea Dream Special Edition” (DVD International, $25). Emmy Award-winning cinematographer David Hannan shot the remarkable underwater footage, which brings the viewer face to face with the various corals and the exotic, colorful fish and shrimp that inhabit the reef. Just click the subtitle button on the remote and each fish is identified.

The only downside is the original score by Tania Rose and Vance Burrow, which sounds too much like John Tesh meets Kenny G.

To order, call (800) 485-8797.

DVD International is also offering “Aquaria” ($25), which was created and produced by Richard Diercks. The two-sided DVD offers 20 hours of fish, fauna, rocks and reefs in four saltwater tanks and one of fresh water. Each tank can be viewed in either anamorphic wide-screen, pan and scan or letterbox. Four audio tracks feature music for meditation, relaxation, beach surf and aquarium bubbles.

*

The world’s most famous fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes, goes digital in the DVD Video/DVD-ROM murder mystery game “Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective” (DVD International, $25). The DVD challenges viewers to solve three mysteries: “The Mummy’s Curse,” “The Tin Soldier” and “The Mystified Murderess.” Viewers conduct their own investigation, getting help and clues from Holmes’ notebook, the London Times, the Baker Street Regulars and the Baker Street Irregulars.

It’s a great concept and fun for a while, but the production values are almost nil, and the performers playing Holmes and Watson are strictly elementary when it comes to acting talent.