'New Zealand: Earth's Mythical Islands' "Wild Extremes" (2016)
Opening thoughts: After a solid first episode, "Wild Extremes" continues the solidly high quality in an episode that has all the good things of that episode while not quite improving or correcting what wasn't so good about it. Again, there are the pacing issues and the lack of depth (at times). But there are also again the stunning visuals, the delivery of the narration and the entertainment value which matter a good deal more. So a good and interesting exploration of the wilder and more extreme parts of the continent, the inhabitants and their challenges.
Bad things: It does feel too short, 15 minutes longer would have been great, and as a content there was a feel of too much content. Would have liked to have learnt more about the mountains.
Consequently, the episode feels rushed. Some of it felt jumpy structurally.
Good things: Looks absolutely beautiful, the beautiful yet unforgiving scenery stuns and the photography often dazzles. The setting has an air of mystery. The glow worms sequence is magical visually in particular. The music didn't strike me as melodramatic, too jaunty or intrusive.
While the writing for the narration didn't quite have the surprise factor of other documentaries, it was still educational and was engagingly and accessibly written. Nothing was heavy-handed, corny or patronising. It is very informative and did find myself learning a good deal, while also balancing the familiar and not so familiar. It is always fun seeing parrots and one doesn't usually see them this intelligent in documentaries. The snails are truly sinister and the glow worms scene as said is magic. The content has good variety. Neill's narration delivery is as comforting as expected.
Concluding thoughts: Overall, good but not great.
7/10.
Opening thoughts: After a solid first episode, "Wild Extremes" continues the solidly high quality in an episode that has all the good things of that episode while not quite improving or correcting what wasn't so good about it. Again, there are the pacing issues and the lack of depth (at times). But there are also again the stunning visuals, the delivery of the narration and the entertainment value which matter a good deal more. So a good and interesting exploration of the wilder and more extreme parts of the continent, the inhabitants and their challenges.
Bad things: It does feel too short, 15 minutes longer would have been great, and as a content there was a feel of too much content. Would have liked to have learnt more about the mountains.
Consequently, the episode feels rushed. Some of it felt jumpy structurally.
Good things: Looks absolutely beautiful, the beautiful yet unforgiving scenery stuns and the photography often dazzles. The setting has an air of mystery. The glow worms sequence is magical visually in particular. The music didn't strike me as melodramatic, too jaunty or intrusive.
While the writing for the narration didn't quite have the surprise factor of other documentaries, it was still educational and was engagingly and accessibly written. Nothing was heavy-handed, corny or patronising. It is very informative and did find myself learning a good deal, while also balancing the familiar and not so familiar. It is always fun seeing parrots and one doesn't usually see them this intelligent in documentaries. The snails are truly sinister and the glow worms scene as said is magic. The content has good variety. Neill's narration delivery is as comforting as expected.
Concluding thoughts: Overall, good but not great.
7/10.
