As said many times, David Attenborough is a national treasure. He may apparently dislike the term, but it is hard to not say that about such a great presenter who has contributed significantly to some of the best programmes of the documentary genre and overall.
It is really hard picking favourites, let alone a definite favourite, among what Attenborough has done because he has done so many gems, of which 'Lost Worlds, Vanished Lives' is definitely one of them. 'Lost Worlds, Vanished Lives' may not quite emotionally connect with me or have the wide range of emotions the way Attenborough's wildlife documentaries do, but it is still exceptionally well made and fascinating. As far as documentaries on fossils and evolution go, it is also from personal opinion ground-breaking and important.
The second from last episode "Dinosaur" is far from inferior from the superb quality of the previous two episodes. Some of the information is speculative, which is acknowledged, but with the episode's subject matter it is hard to be completely definite. Everything that is so good about Attenborough's work is present and a lot is covered without feeling too much.
"Dinosaur" is very comprehensive, detailed and honest, is well-researched and doesn't make the mistakes of being one-sided or basing the information around poorly backed-up assumptions. Really cared for what was said and understood and appreciated fossils and evolution far more watching it. That's part of the beauty of Attenborough documentaries, when it's a subject one is not so knowledgeable on or usually indifferent to his work sheds a whole new light on them, clears up misconceptions and makes one appreciate and understand them more. The same went for his documentaries on invertebrates and reptiles.
As always with Attenborough, his work and individual episodes of them, "Dinosaur" looks great. It is beautifully filmed, done in a completely fluid and natural, sometimes intimate, way and never looking static. In fact much of it is remarkably cinematic with some of the shots being unique for a documentary series, making one forget that it is a series. The editing is always succinct and smooth.
The music score fits very well, never overly grandiose while never being inappropriate while also being a beautiful score in its own right.
Narration by Attenborough helps significantly. He clearly knows his stuff and knows what to say and how to say it. He delivers it with his usual richness, soft-spoken enthusiasm and sincerity, never talking down to the viewer and keeping them riveted and wanting to know more.
Nothing is too episodic and it's all structured and paced beautifully.
Overall, loved it once again. 10/10 Bethany Cox
It is really hard picking favourites, let alone a definite favourite, among what Attenborough has done because he has done so many gems, of which 'Lost Worlds, Vanished Lives' is definitely one of them. 'Lost Worlds, Vanished Lives' may not quite emotionally connect with me or have the wide range of emotions the way Attenborough's wildlife documentaries do, but it is still exceptionally well made and fascinating. As far as documentaries on fossils and evolution go, it is also from personal opinion ground-breaking and important.
The second from last episode "Dinosaur" is far from inferior from the superb quality of the previous two episodes. Some of the information is speculative, which is acknowledged, but with the episode's subject matter it is hard to be completely definite. Everything that is so good about Attenborough's work is present and a lot is covered without feeling too much.
"Dinosaur" is very comprehensive, detailed and honest, is well-researched and doesn't make the mistakes of being one-sided or basing the information around poorly backed-up assumptions. Really cared for what was said and understood and appreciated fossils and evolution far more watching it. That's part of the beauty of Attenborough documentaries, when it's a subject one is not so knowledgeable on or usually indifferent to his work sheds a whole new light on them, clears up misconceptions and makes one appreciate and understand them more. The same went for his documentaries on invertebrates and reptiles.
As always with Attenborough, his work and individual episodes of them, "Dinosaur" looks great. It is beautifully filmed, done in a completely fluid and natural, sometimes intimate, way and never looking static. In fact much of it is remarkably cinematic with some of the shots being unique for a documentary series, making one forget that it is a series. The editing is always succinct and smooth.
The music score fits very well, never overly grandiose while never being inappropriate while also being a beautiful score in its own right.
Narration by Attenborough helps significantly. He clearly knows his stuff and knows what to say and how to say it. He delivers it with his usual richness, soft-spoken enthusiasm and sincerity, never talking down to the viewer and keeping them riveted and wanting to know more.
Nothing is too episodic and it's all structured and paced beautifully.
Overall, loved it once again. 10/10 Bethany Cox
