The newest iteration of the wildly successful "Planet Earth" is "Life", narrated by Oprah Winfrey in the US. So far, two episodes have been released- the second is labeled "Reptiles and Amphibians".
So far, I am quite disappointed. I really hope the British version, hosted by Sir David Attenborough, uses a different script and soundtrack.
I find that the US version script is almost condescending, oversimplifying science (a small Brazilian gecko is touted for having 'waterproof skin' when all reptiles do, another comment that the same gecko is evolved from T Rex, and other small but annoyingly inaccurate comments) and trying to make stories cute rather than meaningful.
The musical score is not the background, mood enhancing version seen in better series like this, it is too dominating, too manipulative, and gets in the way and on my nerves.
"Planet Earth" and "Life in Cold Blood" feature vignettes that catch your interest- somehow the stores in "Life" really don't. I think Oprah takes some of the blame for this- somehow she is just not delivering, but it may just be a weak script.
I am also irritated by a tendency to show a lot of gorgeous filler between the stories, along with over-use of slo-mo that somehow manages to steal some scenes of their power (A slo-mo hippo fight seems more ballet than fury, when the real story would seem to be the sheer force involved.)
There is even a bit of cheating. They show a smooth, snowy winter scene with no trees around and suggest that this is the same place as the next bit- the mass emergence and mating of the Red-sided Gartersnake in Manitoba. I've actually been there, and the frozen scene cannot be the same place as the actual dens, which are in very wooded areas. This is also a scene where the music seems to be telling a much more flippant story than the narrator is telling.
On the up-side, the imagery is GORGEOUS with incredible angles and shots. While the reptiles and amphibians are not presented as awesomely as in "Life in Cold Blood", they are still shown as amazing and beautiful creatures that may help some people see past the usual stereotypes.
The DVD of "Planet Earth" that I have is the Attenborough version, and it is better than the US Signoreny Weaver version. I keep trying to hear Attenbourough's voice in this one, and I think it would be a lot better here as well.
So far, I am quite disappointed. I really hope the British version, hosted by Sir David Attenborough, uses a different script and soundtrack.
I find that the US version script is almost condescending, oversimplifying science (a small Brazilian gecko is touted for having 'waterproof skin' when all reptiles do, another comment that the same gecko is evolved from T Rex, and other small but annoyingly inaccurate comments) and trying to make stories cute rather than meaningful.
The musical score is not the background, mood enhancing version seen in better series like this, it is too dominating, too manipulative, and gets in the way and on my nerves.
"Planet Earth" and "Life in Cold Blood" feature vignettes that catch your interest- somehow the stores in "Life" really don't. I think Oprah takes some of the blame for this- somehow she is just not delivering, but it may just be a weak script.
I am also irritated by a tendency to show a lot of gorgeous filler between the stories, along with over-use of slo-mo that somehow manages to steal some scenes of their power (A slo-mo hippo fight seems more ballet than fury, when the real story would seem to be the sheer force involved.)
There is even a bit of cheating. They show a smooth, snowy winter scene with no trees around and suggest that this is the same place as the next bit- the mass emergence and mating of the Red-sided Gartersnake in Manitoba. I've actually been there, and the frozen scene cannot be the same place as the actual dens, which are in very wooded areas. This is also a scene where the music seems to be telling a much more flippant story than the narrator is telling.
On the up-side, the imagery is GORGEOUS with incredible angles and shots. While the reptiles and amphibians are not presented as awesomely as in "Life in Cold Blood", they are still shown as amazing and beautiful creatures that may help some people see past the usual stereotypes.
The DVD of "Planet Earth" that I have is the Attenborough version, and it is better than the US Signoreny Weaver version. I keep trying to hear Attenbourough's voice in this one, and I think it would be a lot better here as well.
