Seriously. The subject matter is interesting enough without these silly staged dramatics. I mean... a guy doing motorbike doughnuts, another shooting tin cans that the kangaroo rat happened to be inside, a scorpion mouse standing up on its hind legs on top of a rock with a full moon backdrop ? it was like lone ranger or something!
Subject matter, cinematography and narrated facts should be enough to keep anyone interested, just look at David Attenborough and his team.
Shame as the subject matter is so interesting.
Ideal for the kids I dare say and not really a documentary per se.
161 Reviews
Not a documentary but a story
nonowhit211 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This is not a documentary...but that's fine. Obviously the kangaroo mouse didn't tumble down a hill in a rusty tin can. Obviously he didn't hatch a plan to face off the rattlesnake with the hawk. Are you guys daft? This show is just for the story and the pretty close ups. Get over it.
New age Milo and Otis
bahpah9 September 2020
This show reminds me of Milo and Otis but a new age one with some cgi. I think they should have called it something else besides a documentary. There's no way they got some of those scenes without cgi but it's like they don't want to tell you that but it almost makes you mad that they didn't cause it feels like they are lying.
Not a documentary, A great watch with the family.
BYron-0299811 August 2020
This isn't a classic nature documentary and not sure why it been sold that way but it is a fun and creative more like a drama series, it seems to be why most people are interpreting this show wrongly. The kids love it and its great to watch alongside them. I don't think any CG animals were used as the animals seem very realistic but more like creative and clever editing and scripting to create the danger and drama. It's quite impressive to know this whole series was shot in the U.K.
Definitely worth a watch, bring on season 2.
Definitely worth a watch, bring on season 2.
The worst!!!
tiffmich128 August 2020
Too Over-Dramatized
akenyeres9 August 2020
more of an adventure series then documentary
That_1_guy8 August 2020
I found it entertaining but if your looking for a documentary/nature show you might wanna try something different, most of the "observations" are totally staged and unrealistic. Still an entertaining/family friendly series any animal lover would enjoy.
Not sure about this one..
darkdementress9 August 2020
I'm an avid lover of nature shows, I watch everything from tales by light to David Attenborough. The first episode of this was awful! I know nature can be cruel and harsh but this seemed staged, like they edited film together or hired people to torture the rat to make this horrible story. Overly dramatic and more like a nature soap opera with life and death made the focus rather then a calming, interesting, fantastic animal show.. Ugh it was really hard to watch and really sad. Going out of their way to make the animals seem like victims and like they have a Non-Stop horrible life. Yes, i understand animals have it hard and they die but this was just stupid! Really disappointed
No animals were harmed
violetka10 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I feel like Netflix needs to make a disclaimer about how this show was made. It's not a documentary, it's completely scripted. They used animals as actors, sometimes they had multiple actors for the same role. There's a lot of CGI and green screens. I was horrified at first, but I did research and found out it's a different take on telling an animal's story. The mama rat in the first one is still alive and well. The little rat hero never even saw a snake. The fact that people think there was abuse is a credit to the cinematography.
The cinematography is STUNNING!
richarddobbs10 August 2020
The cinematography is STUNNING!... Took a moment to get my head around this new genre of a show - but once I did I really liked it. That they made it using split screen so the animals were never in danger is awesome, but it looks so real! Big fan of Mike Colter who does the voice-over and makes it feel like the animals are all super-heroes. Fun viewing and can't wait for the next episode.
Reflections from two experts
darksmessenger31 August 2020
Based on the opinions of an Ecologist (wildlife scientist) and my partner who is a graduate in Visual effects, this show is Trash.
Just as a starting point it is not educational even though it was advertised as a documentary, the storylines are entirely fictional and misleading as these animals would not naturally behave like this.
These are not wild animals, they are domesticated by animal handlers that should know better than to force them into situations that will cause them tremendous stress.
To those defending this show, saying that there is no cruelty involved, I can say analyzing the fear responses of these animals has unfortunately shown me that these animals are being scared purposely for our entertainment. Anyone who would disagree should consider any pets they may have and ask themselves if they would be willing to see their own pets put through such an ordeal.
Just as a starting point it is not educational even though it was advertised as a documentary, the storylines are entirely fictional and misleading as these animals would not naturally behave like this.
These are not wild animals, they are domesticated by animal handlers that should know better than to force them into situations that will cause them tremendous stress.
To those defending this show, saying that there is no cruelty involved, I can say analyzing the fear responses of these animals has unfortunately shown me that these animals are being scared purposely for our entertainment. Anyone who would disagree should consider any pets they may have and ask themselves if they would be willing to see their own pets put through such an ordeal.
Good but should not be in documentary category
mathu18510 August 2020
Tiny Movie!
jessicam8110 August 2020
What a gem of a show!!! Really enjoyed this and so did all the family.
Beautifully filmed by the guy who shot Planet Earth 2 and you can tell!
But don't expect a documentary, it is not and isn't pretending to be, view it more like a mini-movie with a cast of little animals. We are animal lovers and read that the show ensured the safety of the animals by filming them separately and very carefully as you would expect from filmmakers who made Planet Earth! Hope they make more - we have already binged the lot!
Beautifully filmed by the guy who shot Planet Earth 2 and you can tell!
But don't expect a documentary, it is not and isn't pretending to be, view it more like a mini-movie with a cast of little animals. We are animal lovers and read that the show ensured the safety of the animals by filming them separately and very carefully as you would expect from filmmakers who made Planet Earth! Hope they make more - we have already binged the lot!
No thanks
goldo-3561925 August 2020
Thoroughly Disappointed
The_Tech_Son17 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Whatever happened to true nature shows like Mutual of Omaha's "Wild Kingdom"?
This was a live action 'Rango' type show that continued to go downhill, crash then burn at an alarming rate after Mother kangaroo rat "sacrificed" herself for her baby. . . It got worse as the narrator attributed human emotions and actions to the tiny creatures. . . grief, revenge, etc., culminating in a high noon type gunfight between the hawk and rattlesnake after the rat formulated a complex plan to get the home that was "rightfully his", where the rat had the hawk, "exactly where he wanted him". . . Animals don't formulate complex plans. They also don't have property rights. Who thought this was a good venture to under take?
The pathetic insertion of human interaction into the story was very cringeworthy. By the way, NO ONE who has ever spent any time in the desert will ever sit at a campfire bare-footed, and place empty boots on the ground like that.
If this had been promoted as a kiddy show, I would have entered it with a more understanding mindset.
This was not the educational program that I had hoped for. I do give credit for the one thing I learned; kangaroo rats sweat only through their feet. However, I will need to verify that fact after I submit this.
Horrible, horrible program. I hope all those involved in this production have a backup plan for their livelihood. Seriously, try something else. I will not watch any more segments.
This was a live action 'Rango' type show that continued to go downhill, crash then burn at an alarming rate after Mother kangaroo rat "sacrificed" herself for her baby. . . It got worse as the narrator attributed human emotions and actions to the tiny creatures. . . grief, revenge, etc., culminating in a high noon type gunfight between the hawk and rattlesnake after the rat formulated a complex plan to get the home that was "rightfully his", where the rat had the hawk, "exactly where he wanted him". . . Animals don't formulate complex plans. They also don't have property rights. Who thought this was a good venture to under take?
The pathetic insertion of human interaction into the story was very cringeworthy. By the way, NO ONE who has ever spent any time in the desert will ever sit at a campfire bare-footed, and place empty boots on the ground like that.
If this had been promoted as a kiddy show, I would have entered it with a more understanding mindset.
This was not the educational program that I had hoped for. I do give credit for the one thing I learned; kangaroo rats sweat only through their feet. However, I will need to verify that fact after I submit this.
Horrible, horrible program. I hope all those involved in this production have a backup plan for their livelihood. Seriously, try something else. I will not watch any more segments.
Featuring animal abuse
jonathanhuang-0947214 August 2020
This was the worst show I've ever watched. It is NOT anything like a documentary but an overdramatized staged rendition featuring and condoning various forms of animal abuse. I hope it gets taken off Netflix soon. It is ridiculous and unsettling at best.
Exceptional Cinematography but...
Jaybeyii8 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This is a technological advancement on the educational nature films of the 50's and 60's. Astonishing footage and excellent technical editing but the script.... The subject is always in danger from tooth, claw, fang, man but PG outcomes and a cheesy narration limit the appeal to juveniles.
This is a lazy "documentary".
blueuphoria15 August 2020
I was excited to watch Tiny Creatures. The premise for the documentary seemed interesting. The first 5 minutes was great. Then, I started noticing the exaggerated story the kangaroo rat was going through. Also, the editing didn't show the supposed story the narrator was claiming. I got increasingly angry by being duped into watching a documentary that was nothing of the such. This is an insult to real documentary film makers, who put so much time and effort into capturing the world honestly. This is lazy, badly (exaggeratedly) written, and not a nature documentary.
Surprisingly enlightening
LuisPunisher13 August 2020
And why? Actually, not because of the humanized despiction of animals, because once again we can see the stupidity of human beings. People claim that this show is animal abuse, and without doing a little research they just bash the show because of it. This review bombing , is proof of this generation biggest problem: being offended about nothing at all.
Now, im totally against animal abuse. But the only animal abuse in this charming little show, is that animals are being filmed without their permission. As far as i know, animals dont have copyright laws, so lets say that is not an issue.
But now, seriously, any reasonable mind could totally guess that this is scripted, i mean, cant you really guess that the cowboy is actually shooting an empty can? Or not shooting at all! Gosh, i guess people like this also think that people in say, Rambo movies , get actually killed.
I did a little research and found out by word of the director that the animals didnt suffered any actual harm, and even the scenes where they are attacked by predators are just tricks (each animal was fimed separately).
What you will get, once you make use of common sense, is a fun collection of stories, suitable for kids that might taught a lesson or two about our own humanity.
Now, im totally against animal abuse. But the only animal abuse in this charming little show, is that animals are being filmed without their permission. As far as i know, animals dont have copyright laws, so lets say that is not an issue.
But now, seriously, any reasonable mind could totally guess that this is scripted, i mean, cant you really guess that the cowboy is actually shooting an empty can? Or not shooting at all! Gosh, i guess people like this also think that people in say, Rambo movies , get actually killed.
I did a little research and found out by word of the director that the animals didnt suffered any actual harm, and even the scenes where they are attacked by predators are just tricks (each animal was fimed separately).
What you will get, once you make use of common sense, is a fun collection of stories, suitable for kids that might taught a lesson or two about our own humanity.
Not a review
iounu210 August 2020
American nature Docs are rubbish
isaacgoulding18 August 2020
Why do they never learn from the most popular nature documentaries? (The English ones) You don't need to over dramatize everything with dramatic music constantly in the background, and you don't need to make out that everything is crazy dramatic, and everything is so set up. Nat Geo is exactly the same, just rubbish.
Animal Drama - a mini adventure
emma-627679 August 2020
I'm frustrated by some earlier reviews. It is clear that the intention of this series was never for it to be represented as a natural history series! It's a high energy animal drama with an incredible score and stunning visuals. The articles I've read suggest the creator's intention was not to pretend to be a blue chip natural history series but to entertain a young/family audience whilst peppering it with scientific facts relating to the animals behaviours. It's a fantastic, fun show that will entain audiences of all ages. The only element is question is the welfare of the animals but I think with the experience of a streaming giant link Netflix we can all rest assured that this will have been monitored to the T. There have clearly been some very clever camera techniques used which allow us to believe the animals we're in peril, surely that was the point! Picture this as a series of mini movies that also educate and you won't be disappointed! We loved it 👍
A Playful Little Dish
justinnyc1721 December 2020
Animal cruelty
murphey-4956820 August 2020
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