'Under the Sea' among new-to-DVD documentaries

Although documentaries are enhanced by computer graphics these days, raw nature footage never gets old and can be even more dazzling, as demonstrated by some of these new-to-DVD efforts.

"IMAX: Under the Sea" (Warner, 2009, G, $27.95). Eye-popping colors and creatures will blow your mind in this up-close-and-personal look at underwater phenomena, narrated by Jim Carrey. It's an exploration of life under the sea, from the Great Barrier Reef to myriad other South Pacific regions.

Extras: widescreen, featurette, trailers

"The Antarctica Challenge: A Global Warning" (PBS, 2009, $24.99). This one follows an expedition to Antarctica to explore climate change, finding such scientific surprises as new vegetation, diminishing land animals and marine life, etc. The visuals are quite engaging.

Extras: widescreen, featurette

"Clash of the Gods" (History/Blu-ray, 2009, two discs, $39.95). Ancient mythological gods — Zeus, Hercules, Hades, Thor, etc. — are deconstructed in this overview, enhanced with computer graphics, which are especially stunning in Blu-ray.

Extras: widescreen, 10 episodes (also on three-disc DVD, $29.95)

"What Darwin Never Knew" (PBS, 2009, $24.99). As the title suggests, this documentary attempts to answer questions that rise from Charles Darwin's "The Origin of the Species," specifically by presenting evidence of embryo development with footage shot on the Galapagos Islands and in the Arctic.

Extras: widescreen

"Building Pharaoh's Ship" (PBS, 2009, $24.99). This "NOVA" episode looks at a royal expedition to a mysterious land as depicted on a temple wall. Real or myth?

Extras: widescreen

"Jesse James' Hidden Treasure" (History, 2009, $19.95). Feature-length look at the famed outlaw, his reasons for robbing and whether any part of his treasure can still be found.

Extras: widescreen

e-mail: hicks@desnews.com