While enjoying watching available films and television on Netflix, when it comes to Netflix originals the general standard has been spotty. Meaning the odd gem, but others that left me indifferent or worse or started off so promisingly but declined drastically. There was no chance of missing 'Our Planet', having been a massive fan of David Attenborough for a long time and would see anything of his work old or new.
By Attenborough standards, 'Our Planet' may not be one of his best or most ground-breaking. Only because his best work did break new ground, were so amazing and were so unique. That doesn't matter whatsoever, because 'Our Planet' is still one of the best and most transfixing television programmes so far this year and in the next seven months something would have to be really special to be equal to it or top it. What was one of my most anticipated programmes turned out to be the most special, Netflix have not done anything this good in a long time and would go as far to say that it is in a completely different league when it comes to Netflix shows/programmes. Was riveted by the images, fascinated by the animals and what was being said and felt a wide gaumt of emotions, from biting nails, shedding tears, being shocked, being inspired, awwing at anything sweet and even being amused.
The first episode "One Planet" has all of that. What an incredible (have not thrown out that word often when it comes to television) start, now this is how to begin a series.
"One Planet" looks amazing first and foremost. Underwater has not looked this breathtaking in a long time. It is enhanced by cinematic-worthy photography with a wider range of techniques rarely seen before, a feast for the eyes and also expansive and intimate. A major example of this in the episode is the opening with the dolphins' hunting of the mackarels, one of the most visually stunning and unique openings for any documentary or for anything. Of all the opening sequences of all the eight episodes of 'Our Planet', this stayed in my mind the most. The music is grand and atmospheric, while also whimsical and jaunty, mating rituals have never been as elaborate, as quirky or as like any you've seen before than with the manakin birds.
As one can expect, the narration is very thought-provoking and never rambling or speculative. There are some interesting individual feeling stories here throughout and so many of the species are easy to relate to. A lot of information is covered but felt properly explored and not rushed or disjointed, and the facts educate and illuminate while not being compromised for the emotionally complex storytelling. Once again, Attenborough's distinctive and unequalled narrative delivery, with his unmistakable voice, is sincere, enthusiastic as well as understated. One can listen to him for a long time and not tire of him, no other nature/wildlife documentary narrator/presenter has made me feel this way.
Like with all of Attenborough's work, this is not just about animals in beautiful environments being painted in a cute, reassuring and one-sided light. Other episodes have more of a balance of the cute and the sinister, though that is evident with the opening, and beautiful environments being much more unforgiving than they look, but that is not to say that that is not there in "One Planet", it is. Regarding as to whether it does anything new, nothing as such is ground-breaking here when it comes to the animals, but with any familiar material it is done with a new approach, one that is more intimate than one expects. There are animals shown that show not so familiar behaviours, like the very interesting ones of the manakin birds and particularly the flamingos (have not seen theirs done before).
The heavy emphasis on conservation/the environment for the series overall, and re-visited in all the episodes, has been criticised, didn't have a problem with it personally. Didn't feel lectured to, it made me think of the causes, consequences and how to stop it and it is something important to talk about and be addressed. In "One Planet", this can be seen in a very powerful and shocking scene at the end.
In conclusion, incredible. 10/10
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