Ninan HKIS I watched this movie for my World Religions class, as we have been studying Islam. Prior to the film, though I had knowledge about the Hajj and what is is, it wasn't until after watching the movie that I really realized how huge and amazing it is. "Journey to Mecca" is a great movie showing Mecca from a different perspective and telling the true story of Ibn Battuta's long journey to Mecca.Ibn is a rich and religious law student in Tangier in 1325, when he decides to go on the Hajj. Ibn has to travel from Morocco across the North African desert to get to Saudi Arabia, and along the way, he is attacked by bandits, he becomes dehydrated, he is rescued by the desert Bedouins, and eventually joins a caravan of thousands of people on their way to Mecca. Joining Ibn, is the Highwayman, paid for protecting Ibn. Through their travels Ibn and the Highwayman become friends. Upon finally reaching Mecca, Ibn experiences the Hajj like it was 700 years ago.I personally found the movie really cool. First of all, it was filmed so beautifully, the shots were amazing. I also liked how the filmmakers combined the story of Ibn Battuta with modern Mecca. Ibn Battuta's story was one that I had never heard before so it was really interesting learning about someone so crucial to the spreading of Islam. I really appreciated that the movie was not that long as well.

Raid Sara This was a great movie and for me, it was a wonderful first experience with an IMAX film. The only disappointing thing about it was the short length of the film. The imagery was stunning, especially the aerial shots of Mecca. The story was great and even more impressive when you think about how much knowledge you gain from such a short film. The characters were believable and sincere. The shooting style was unique. It took me a moment to realize the story changed gears when showing present day Mecca.All in all, I highly recommend. If nothing else, go watch it so more movies like this will be made.

ng Journey to Mecca is really two IMAX films in one. It starts and ends with a documentary approach to modern Mecca and in between is tied with the story of Ibn Battuta, an adventurer from the 14th Century. Obviously, in the length of an IMAX, anyone expecting the Arabian Nights covering 40 years of his life in 40 minutes is going to be disappointed. Instead, the film concentrates on his 'Journey to Mecca', a story of shipwrecks and banditry. I thought it was a smart way to go, spicing up what is at heart, a most serious movie, with sword fights while never letting go of the religious quest that is at the heart of the Hajj. Most impressive of all are the shots of the modern pilgrims. Any one who's jaw doesn't drop at the sight of millions of men and women dressed all in white, covering a mountain top, doesn't know the true meaning of the word 'epic'.

Artemis Rider Disappointing. Really. From all the interesting, adventurous and cool things that happened in Ibn Batutta's life none were used. An average person will have a distorted view of Ibn Batutta. If I hadn't read his Book I would too. I feel that the creators of this movie cleverly used his name to sell a documentary on Hajj. Even there too - Hajj is just sloppily touched on and the movie abruptly ends. There is no real in-sight into how Muslims used to live or how Ibn Batutta lived - you go in knowing nothing and come out knowing less. I hear that a lot of 'research' was done but apart from the footage of the Ka'ba (which you just need permission and a camera for) I don't see any of it. There was so many obvious glitches (like every man in the Great Caravan having mustaches instead of beards and the women walking around with their hair loose under small scarves - clearly extras from the eastern film industry and in no way properly portraying the style of Muslims couple of hundred years ago.)Anything you saw in a Moroccan film you'll see here.I don't know what research these creators are talking about. From a plot point of view this movie was bland. We see Zinoune travel through the boring, empty,dry desert most of the time. There was no real substance or story-line. I was expecting more considering how exciting the trailer and synopsis were made out to be. The only good thing is that Muslims aren't portrayed as mass-murderers and the Hajj has accurate details (we'll pretend we never saw everyone coming up from Sijda without the Imaam saying 'Allaah-hu-Akbar'). In short - a highly-pumped, overrated, pointless movie with no idea what it wants to be or where its going. A loose cannon. I can't believe that we're supposed to believe that they actually did research about Ibn Batutta, ancient Arabia or Hajj. You'd have to know absolutely nothing about Islaam to watch this film - if that's you, then go for it, but if you know even a little bit - take a pass. Read his book; it was way better.