Cinematography is fantastic, but narration isn't my favourite. It's a little childish, of course they've likely done that on purpose, but I really don't like all the animals being constantly referred to as 'heroes', feels corny. But all in all an enjoyable nature series.
12 Reviews
Beautiful Photography, 3rd Grade Level Narration
jackdog1-14 July 2022
Given that it's done by National Geographic and Disney, it's no wonder it comes off as a modern take on Disney True Life Adventures. The photography is flawless and stunning, but the narration is more anthropomorphized feel good aimed at elementary school kids than actual scientific education. That's not necessarily a bad thing if it gets kids interested in nature and caring for the planet.
Excellent visuals
lindsey2045 July 2022
Stunning visuals - by godawful voice over!
agasi9993 August 2022
Micheal B Jordan's voice over is so dry and mono tone and sometimes incomprehensible it ruins an otherwise stunning documentary. Why put so much effort to capture these amazing visuals and ruin it with a terrible voice over ? The person who thought his voice suited this documentary should be fired for ruining this otherwise amazing documentary.
Well done...well done!
parkmarketing6 July 2022
If this doesn't encourage people to dust off their hiking shoes and take full advantage of what this great country has to offer, then I don't know what will! Thank you for reminding us of the beauty that awaits us, just outside our front door. Although a stroll through the woods, walk along the beach or hike in the desert may not expose us to the intricate details of nature's "Heroes" as shown in this documentary, we can discover our own connection to nature, if we just pay attention.
As I watched the series, I was enchanted by the tiny creatures, respectful of the strength of the hierarchy animals and in awe of the landscape. The technically advanced way in which you chose to help us see this great country afforded the viewer a new and exciting experience. The subject matter was fascinating. What a wonderful world we have all around us!
The music created by your group of composers is the proverbial, "icing on the cake". Without the grace of the violin strings, plucking of the guitar/banjo or intense beat of the drums, the series would not have the power it holds. Music is the driving force behind most of what entertains us on the big screen. The musical talent, behind the scenes should take a bow. Bravo!
I applaud your entire crew of talented people behind your masterpiece! Congratulations!
As I watched the series, I was enchanted by the tiny creatures, respectful of the strength of the hierarchy animals and in awe of the landscape. The technically advanced way in which you chose to help us see this great country afforded the viewer a new and exciting experience. The subject matter was fascinating. What a wonderful world we have all around us!
The music created by your group of composers is the proverbial, "icing on the cake". Without the grace of the violin strings, plucking of the guitar/banjo or intense beat of the drums, the series would not have the power it holds. Music is the driving force behind most of what entertains us on the big screen. The musical talent, behind the scenes should take a bow. Bravo!
I applaud your entire crew of talented people behind your masterpiece! Congratulations!
Family friendly animal series
sarojkmohapatra11 July 2022
1. Awesome videography
2. Jordan's voice is so clear and soothing
3. Kid friendly video ( so no oh **** change channel surprises.
4. Yes, animal world is cruel, but then we don't need to show all the cruelty in all videos. Kids just can't handle it.
If you are looking for a kid friendly animal series that you can show to your kids to learn about animal planet, then you found one.
I hope Disney soon makes few more like this.
4. Yes, animal world is cruel, but then we don't need to show all the cruelty in all videos. Kids just can't handle it.
If you are looking for a kid friendly animal series that you can show to your kids to learn about animal planet, then you found one.
I hope Disney soon makes few more like this.
Enjoyable enough
cnfranco12 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I only watched this because I heard a sampling of the OST by Joseph Trapanese, who I like quite a bit, and was blown away by the quality of the cinematography. Particularly the mountain shots which puzzled me until I found out they had strapped super-stabilized cameras to jets and flown them through the ranges. The scripting and spoken narration are rather juvenile, and you can skip the 6th episode entirely, but this is still a very solid nature series. If you liked the soundtracks for Tron Uprising or Only the Brave, you'll hear the same types of instruments being used here, and some of the same melody structuring.
unbelievable camerawork
happy_quadruped5 September 2022
I honestly have no clue how they got some of these shots, it seems like it would be almost impossible to get the timing right but somehow they did it. I watch a ton of nature shows but this includes stuff I haven't seen elsewhere before for sure. It's so unique that it really makes you think about the world in a different way.
My one critique is that I think the drone shots where they move over landscapes quickly might actually be a little too quick at times to be pleasing. At least watching on my MacBook Pro it's a little nauseating. But that's only a fraction of the show so I won't weight it too highly.
I enjoy the narrator. Maybe a little hokey, sure, but actually that's sort of on point for a nature documentary and I appreciate his friendliness. I like the theme of "heros".
Somewhat relatedly, one other amazing thing about this show is that it isn't just individual shots, rather they seem to have followed individual animals for a somewhat extended duration, which makes the storytelling more compelling.
My one critique is that I think the drone shots where they move over landscapes quickly might actually be a little too quick at times to be pleasing. At least watching on my MacBook Pro it's a little nauseating. But that's only a fraction of the show so I won't weight it too highly.
I enjoy the narrator. Maybe a little hokey, sure, but actually that's sort of on point for a nature documentary and I appreciate his friendliness. I like the theme of "heros".
Somewhat relatedly, one other amazing thing about this show is that it isn't just individual shots, rather they seem to have followed individual animals for a somewhat extended duration, which makes the storytelling more compelling.
Beautiful cinema, why the voice?
sieczc9 August 2022
The cinematography is stunning and perfectly edited. Really quite beautiful. However, it is ruined by the narration. Why in the world have Michael B. Jordan narrate it?? You might as well have had my neighbor, Frank do it. They have equally lackluster voices. Morgan Freeman too expensive??
Stunning Visuals, Lame Script
LoveStallion16 September 2022
What's with the "heroes" stuff?? I don't get it. It's such dumb dialogue.
As others have said, the narration is a bit corny and better for kids. But ironically, this documentary doesn't show up in kids profiles on Disney+.
It's still wonderful to look at. I think we've just all been spoiled by Attenborough. Michael D. Jordan is a talented actor but just an OK narrator.
Nevertheless, you'll enjoy this series, and it's fun to watch as a family. Just try not to tolle your eyes too much when Jordan describes every animal in existence as "hero."
These animals are not heroes. They are merely living their lives based on instinct.
As others have said, the narration is a bit corny and better for kids. But ironically, this documentary doesn't show up in kids profiles on Disney+.
It's still wonderful to look at. I think we've just all been spoiled by Attenborough. Michael D. Jordan is a talented actor but just an OK narrator.
Nevertheless, you'll enjoy this series, and it's fun to watch as a family. Just try not to tolle your eyes too much when Jordan describes every animal in existence as "hero."
These animals are not heroes. They are merely living their lives based on instinct.
Great footage but haphazard script and editing
paul-allaer18 July 2022
As Episode 1 ("Land of Heroes") of "America The Beautiful" (2022 release; 6 episodes of about 45 min each) opens, we are in North Dakota, where a red squirrel is gathering food for the long winter ahead, only to be challenged by scavengers. What is the squirrel to do? We then go to the wetlands in Louisiana, where a 15 ft alligator is patrolling the neighborhood, ready to pounce at any time...
Couple of comments: there are so many nature documentaries out there, so how does this one compare? Actually not that good, I'm afraid to say. Let's start with the positives: there is some amazing footage in this 6 part series, and some of it is hard to watch (see how the grizzly bear hunts down a caribou calf that literally was born only hours before). But there is way too many aerial drone footage of massive landscapes that fly by in seconds, and the opening episode crisscrosses North America without any rhyme or reason (literally going from the Grand Canyon to the northern lights in Alaska within minutes. I couldn't make any heads or tails as to the overall direction or purpose of this. What it really felt like was a "greatest hits" collection of animals in the wild in North America. Perhaps for some viewers, this is more than enough, but I felt that the haphazard nature of the underlying script and its correlating editing didn't do this mini-series any favors, unfortunately.
"American The Beautiful" was released, appropriately enough, this past July 4 (2 weeks ago today). If you like nature documentaries, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.
Couple of comments: there are so many nature documentaries out there, so how does this one compare? Actually not that good, I'm afraid to say. Let's start with the positives: there is some amazing footage in this 6 part series, and some of it is hard to watch (see how the grizzly bear hunts down a caribou calf that literally was born only hours before). But there is way too many aerial drone footage of massive landscapes that fly by in seconds, and the opening episode crisscrosses North America without any rhyme or reason (literally going from the Grand Canyon to the northern lights in Alaska within minutes. I couldn't make any heads or tails as to the overall direction or purpose of this. What it really felt like was a "greatest hits" collection of animals in the wild in North America. Perhaps for some viewers, this is more than enough, but I felt that the haphazard nature of the underlying script and its correlating editing didn't do this mini-series any favors, unfortunately.
"American The Beautiful" was released, appropriately enough, this past July 4 (2 weeks ago today). If you like nature documentaries, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.
Suited For Children
paulie-702467 July 2022
Two minutes on squirrels in a forest, then off to an alligator in the Louisiana swamp, then a few minutes later a prairie dog sits in the sun, survives a tornado, now its snowing. All narrated in childlike simplicity by some American celebrity.
American version of Attenborough for children with short attention spans.
American version of Attenborough for children with short attention spans.
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