Nature's Most Amazing Events Blu-ray Review

Nature's Most Amazing Events Blu-ray

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Video Video codec: VC-1 Video resolution: 1080i Aspect ratio: 1.78:1 Audio English: Dolby Digital 2.0 English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (less) Subtitles English English (less) Discs 25GB Blu-ray Disc Two-disc set (2 BDs)

Price List price: $34.99  Amazon: $17.49 (Save 50%) Third party: $17.48 (Save 50%) Usually ships in 24 hours Blu-ray review Movie 4.0 Video 3.5 Audio 3.0 Extras 2.0 Overall 3.0 Playback Region free

Nature's Most Amazing Events Blu-ray Review

A solid documentary series chained to a hit-or-miss Blu-ray release...

I've said it several times before and I'm sure I'll say it again: the BBC Natural History Unit knows how to produce a mesmerizing documentary. Whether traveling across Planet Earth in search of indescribable wonders, examining the unique ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands, traveling along India's life-sustaining Ganges River, or exploring the ancient ruins and thriving wildlife of Wild China, the NHU documentarians capture some of the most gorgeous imagery I've ever seen, concisely convey the results of their fascinating research, and even uncover answers to some of the most perplexing natural mysteries the planet has to offer. Earlier this year, the BBC aired the unit's latest production, an impressive six-part wildlife documentary series called Nature's Great Events. Dubbed Nature's Most Amazing Events for its US Discovery Channel debut, the series is coming home to Blu-ray a mere week after its first episode airs on television.

The Natural History Unit's stunning photography is the highlight of each episode...

You might think a sprawling eleven-episode monster like Planet Earth would overshadow any similar documentary series produced by the BBC (particularly one that also features narration by naturalist David Attenborough), but Nature's Most Amazing Events holds its own and even covers ground untouched by its big, bad brother. Things get off to a fairly familiar start with The Great Melt, a study of climate shifts in the Arctic, the declining ecological health of the region, and the effects each change has on a variety of indigenous species. While the episode initially touches on events and conditions other documentaries have mined ad nauseum, it's a fitting opener that steps away from commonplace residents like polar bears to focus on more fanciful creatures like white whales, guillemots, and narwhals. The Great Salmon Run moves on to North America where grizzlies and salmon engage in a yearly dance of life and death amidst the raging rapids of Alaska's many rivers. It not only investigates nearly every aspect of the bears' feeding habits, it also takes the time to focus on several other species struggling to survive the ever-looming threat of human expansion.

Next up, The Great Migration heads to the Serengeti Plains to follow a lion pride along the path of an annual migration of zebra, wildebeest, and other African herd animals. Along the way, we're given the opportunity to watch the cats hunt, strategize, and feed on prey that prove to sometimes be as dangerous as the lions themselves. The Great Tide plunges beneath the waves off the coast of South Africa to investigate the annual spawning ritual of the pilchard Sardinops sagax and the hungry predators (chiefly dolphins and seabirds) that arrive to dine on the congregating buffet. While it's overtly preachy at times, the episode nevertheless provides some of the most breathtaking photography of the series. The Great Flood drifts north to the Republic of Botswana where elephants, antelopes, dragonflies, hippopotamus, and water buffalo have to contend with countless changes to their habitat. Finally, The Great Feast introduces the balance of power between whales, dolphins, sea lions, and other animals off the coasts of Canada.

Over the course of each episode, Nature's Most Amazing Events documents the delicate, causational relationship between the world's ever-evolving wildlife and its rapidly-changing climate. It's a bit too dry for casual fans and occasionally too disturbing for young children, but anyone with the patience, interest, and time it takes to invest in a six-hour wildlife documentary will find the BBC Natural History Unit has come through once again.

Video

While documentary enthusiasts will have to contend with more artifacting and edge enhancement than they encountered on Planet Earth, BBC Video's Blu-ray release of Nature's Most Amazing Events boasts a fairly attractive 1080i/VC-1 transfer that, more often than not, looks quite good. The various source materials and techniques employed by executive producer Brian Leith results in some inconsistencies from episode to episode (one particular example: slow-motion shots of eagles, salmon, and other animals are haunted by faint but distracting vertical lines), but colors remain strong and vibrant, blacks are well-resolved, and contrast is lively and inviting. Better still, detail usually ranges from excellent to extraordinary, rendering fine fur, cracked ice caps, and miles of tall grass with care. As I alluded to before, minor blocking, errant banding, and noticeable halos hold the image back from perfection, but the overall impact of the production isn't completely spoiled by these technical mishaps.

All things considered, Nature's Most Amazing Events frequently brushes against the lofty bar set by the best documentary transfers on the market, but falls short of greatness on too many occasions. If it didn't suffer from so many intermittent digital anomalies, it would be a sight to behold. As it stands, it's a decent, above average presentation that really could have used some more polish.

Audio

Even though Nature's Most Amazing Events only offers a two-channel, 448kbps Dolby Digital stereo track, it still handles narrator David Attenborough's soothing intonations and the series' limited soundscape with relative ease. Roars, crashing waves, and thrashing fish are flat and hushed to say the least -- any semblance of a proper soundfield, LFE support, or rear speaker activity would have improved matters significantly -- but it's tough to complain too much since BBC Video's stereo mix is suitable for the subdued, chatty task at hand. Ultimately, audiophiles armed with appropriate expectations will probably be able to overlook its squandered potential and simply concentrate on the series itself.

Supplements

Aside from a semi-handy, two-stage calibration tool, the 2-disc Blu-ray edition of Nature's Most Amazing Events doesn't include any official special features. However, at the end of each episode, you'll find a ten-minute "Diaries" featurette that offers informative and involving glimpses behind-the-scenes, adding some supplemental heft to the package. It's just a shame they aren't accessible from the main menu. Thanks to SquidPuppet, one of our fine and faithful readers, for suggested their inclusion in the supplements review and score!

Final words

Nature's Most Amazing Events may strike some as a less-than-mesmerizing Planet Earth clone, but I found it to be a stirring sister series that treats its intriguing subjects with respect and awe. Unfortunately, the Blu-ray edition is a bit uneven, struggling with a solid (albeit problematic) video transfer, a bland Dolby Digital stereo track, and tough-to-find supplemental content (attached to the end of each episode rather than the main menu). Even so, a strong, reasonably priced series and an above average presentation will probably be enough to please documentary junkies and nature nuts alike.



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