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Yellowstone: Battle for Life Blu-ray
BBC | 2009 | 150 mins | Not rated | Sep 29, 2009
Yellowstone: Battle for Life Blu-ray ReviewYet another mesmerizing documentary series from the BBC Natural History Unit...Reviewed by Kenneth Brown, October 1, 2009 During a yearlong phase of my late twenties my wife affectionately refers to as my "caldera craze," I was utterly fascinated by the massive supervolcano slumbering beneath Yellowstone National Park. Consumed with visions of guiding my young son across an ashy, post-apocalyptic American wasteland -- visions no doubt fueled by Cormac McCarthy's haunting novel, "The Road" -- my geological obsession surged, leaving me to wonder why Hollywood had yet to capitalize on one of the more probable global killers threatening the planet. While my interest eventually waned, I still have a soft, semi-nostalgic spot in my heart for documentaries about the subject and the region. Yellowstone: Battle for Life doesn't focus on the Yellowstone Caldera, nor does it offer the sort of warnings that have dominated documentaries of late. But, like the best BBC Natural History Unit productions, it sets its sights on Yellowstone's harsh wilderness, its seasonal cycle of life, and the many species that struggle to survive its most perilous dangers.
In just three episodes, Yellowstone: Battle for Life documents the behavior of dozens of species over the course of a single year. It begins with "Winter," a frosty introduction to the region that follows a pack of elk-hunting wolves, a herd of bison searching for fresh grass, desperate foxes attempting to catch crafty mice, and the birds that watch over their confrontations. A cruel climate and unpredictable weather are among their chief challenges, while limited food and shelter make surviving the season even more difficult. As the ice thaws and the snow melts with the coming of "Summer," the landscapes come alive. Tiny animals skitter out from their dens, flowers bloom (much to the delight of resident humming birds), and the waters finally flow. But the lives of the bears, ground squirrels, insects, blue birds, otters, and pronghorns that flourish in the summer sun aren't easy. Fluctuating temperatures, smoke plumes, month-long forest fires, frail newborns, and numerous predators present each species with unique trials all their own. As the leaves of "Autumn" start to fall, Yellowstone's pine squirrels, beavers, grizzlies, clark nutcrackers, elk, big-horn sheep, and moose rapidly prepare for another tough winter. As the snow returns, migrations have been completed, feeding grounds have been found, and hibernations have begun. Just another year in the life of the region's resilient residents. Narrated with soothing ease by English actor Peter Firth, Yellowstone: Battle for Life is a sweeping, engrossing exploration of a land few understand and fewer still could withstand. Each species earns a welcome stretch of screentime, and a narrative of sort emerges as several animals are revisited throughout the year. The episodes never devolve into anything resembling Arctic Tale -- I can't think of a BBC documentary series that has -- but the manner in which the camera returns to surprisingly familiar herds is an interesting way to map the various changes affecting life in the Wyoming wilderness. Moreover, the information Firth provides isn't superficial or overbearing. Little time is spent rehashing the obvious and even less time is spent expanding upon the mundane. I was entranced from start to finish, skipping to the next episode the moment one ended. If anything, I wanted more. The three entries on hand are captivating to say the least, but I would have thoroughly enjoyed spending more time touring Yellowstone's wooded hollows and snowy plains. Still, that shouldn't keep anyone away, particularly when this release is available at such an affordable price. The BBC Natural History Unit has done it once again, delivering a rich, rewarding documentary worthy of any enthusiast's attention. Video  Yellowstone: Battle for Life features an excellent 1080i/AVC-encoded transfer that looks better than BBC's most recent documentary releases. Nature's Most Amazing Events and Wild Pacific suffered from several debilitating technical issues, many of which undermined the impact of their series' startling photography. Though some of the same issues rear their ugly heads in Battle for Life -- faint artifacting, errant banding, and slight ringing pop up from time to time -- instances are less intrusive, more subdued, and less distracting. Colors are bold and beautiful, capturing the majesty and awe of Yellowstone's landscapes. Black levels are deep and absorbing, granting the image welcome depth and dimensionality. Detail is sharp and refined, revealing small flakes of ice and tufts of fur at every turn. Softness occasionally invades the proceedings, but almost every dip in clarity should be attributed to the original source, not the disc's high definition presentation. Is it the best documentary transfer I've had the pleasure of reviewing? Not quite, but it comes closer than I thought it would. Nature nuts will not be disappointed. Audio While previously released BBC documentary releases have limped out of the gate with Dolby Digital stereo mixes, Yellowstone: Battle for Life separates from the Blu-ray pack, offering fans a rather satisfying DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. While it still provides a largely front-heavy experience -- it is, after all, attached to a traditional episodic documentary -- erupting geysers leave quite an impression, distant animal cries are clean and stable, and environmental ambience is both convincing and involving. Firth's voice dominates the soundscape with deep, dulcet tones; his narration lingers just beneath the image, nestled neatly between the bulk of Yellowstone's wildlife and natural wonders. LFE output is reserved but weighty, rear speaker activity is restrained but supportive, and dynamics are solid. Unfortunately, many of the documentary's showcase sonics don't emerge until the second and third episodes (when the snow melts and spring returns), meaning audiophiles will need to be patient to get the most out of the track. Ultimately, anyone approaching Battle for Life with proper expectations will be happy with everything they hear. I know I was. Supplements  The Blu-ray edition of Yellowstone: Battle for Life includes a trio of decent featurettes, all of which are presented in standard definition. Jeff Henry: The Snowman (10 minutes) focuses on a local photographer who assisted the BBC team; Mike Kasic: The Fishman (10 minutes) follows suit with a sound recorder; and Geyser Gazers (11 minutes) introduces a group of experts that helped the BBC crew capture some of their most striking Geyser footage. It only amounts to a half-hour of content, but it's certainly better than nothing. Final words  What more can I say? A riveting documentary series from the BBC Natural History Unit, a strong video transfer, a welcome DTS-HD Master Audio track, and a low price point makes purchasing Yellowstone: Battle for Life a no-brainer. Documentary enthusiasts will be most pleased with the results. 
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