User reviews

This series is good in many ways. This series have totally new and rare scenes like scene of the green iguanas. The drone footages are fascinating. A lot of untold stories of nature were included. This is a must watch series by attenborough fans.

Yet again, Attenborough's A Perfect Planet shines through as the pinnacle of nature documentaries. The footage captured is consistently phenomenal showcasing all the weird and wonderful creatures from the four corners of the planet. The species on show are split between the familiar favourites, to ones never heard of which haven't been captured on camera before, and even shows an interesting light on the types of animals which typically aren't seen as attractive (when else would you want to learn about ants, etc.?). Narration is fitting, the arcs following each of the species are engrossing and often emotional, and the entire thing is educational without ever being dull.

To all those who are complaining that it gets preachy, what did they really expect? It's a documentary about the forces impacting on the animal kingdom, if climate change is radically effecting that, it's going to be mentioned. This should only come across as a lecture if you yourself are not conscious of your environment. Each episode shows the cataclysmic possibilities if things don't change, is it fun to watch? Absolutely not. Is it important and the most concise way to learn these things? Absolutely so. If you don't like it because you find it depressing, you really need to consider the bigger picture.

David Attenborough presents a 5 episodes nature TV series. Each episode examines a powerful force; Volcano, The Sun, Weather, Oceans, and Humans. The pictures look good. That's not unexpected. Attenborough seems to be pushing harder and harder on climate change and environmentalism in his recent shows. Along with the usual great visuals, he has some good info. It's nothing groundbreaking or new but this is good solid nature doc.

The voice of Sir David Attenborough is one of the most soothing things on the planet. He is an international treasure. Enjoyed every single bit of this documentary. Yet another masterpiece of the BBC production team. Incredible cinematography.

Have been a massive fan of David Attenborough for most of my young adult life and see any new project of his without fail. Amazing images, information that entertains, teaches, moves and shocks, cute and menacing animals, complex mix of emotions and unforgettable sequences are abound in everything he does, and it is hard to not listen to his distinctive voice for hours. When it comes to presenting and narrating nature documentaries, he is incomparable.

'A Perfect Planet' is another treasure from Attenborough, who may dislike being called a national treasure but wholly deserves being considered one. It may not be one of his most ground-breaking or most unique (not in the way 'Blue Planet' and 'Planet Earth' are), but to me that is not important. What is much more important to me is that at least most of the components are at least strongly executed. Very nearly everything in 'A Perfect Planet' is superbly executed.

Like everything Attenborough has done, all five productions making up 'A Perfect Planet' ("Volcano", "The Sun", "Weather", "Oceans" and "Humans") look fantastic. With some absolutely stunning photography, that at its best is cinematic-worthy, a standout being the long shot of the hyena among the wildebeest in "Volcano". Also cannot say anything bad whatsoever about the scenery, which is a wonder in all habitats even the barren landscapes of the Gobi in "Weather". They are breath-taking in their beauty while also suitably cruel (the underwater in "Oceans" is both a beautiful and unforgiving place), reminding one that the different environments pose daily challenges for its inhabitants.

Did like too that the music is beautifully scored and tonally varied (whether majestic, playful or melacholic, without being too melodramatic. Throughout the narration educates, thought-provokes and entertains, with the odd surprise like the twice its body length line in "The Sun". The statistics revealed in "Oceans" are quite devastating to hear. Cannot praise Attenborough himself enough. He delivers the information so sincerely and enthusiastically, without talking down, and he is easily in the top 10 of voices that one can listen to for hours tirelessly.

Neither can any fault be had with the animals, such an amazing job is done making one care for them. Prey and predator and regardless of size, in a way that one cares about a well written human character without over-humanising. There is plenty of footage not ever seen before, including a rare chance to see the last Bactrian camels in "Weather" and the arctic wolves and musk oxen sequence in "The Sun". There are images that left me asking "how was this even caught on camera, like the hyena among the wildebeest and anything with the arctic wolves. All while also bringing something fresh to the more familiar animals, like flamingos, a pod of dolphins and iguanas.

The storytelling is a mix of funny (the smitten cuttlefish in "Oceans"), adorable (the eider ducks in "Oceans"), hair-raisingly tense (the arctic wolves and musk oxen and also the storks in "Volcano) and heart-wrenching (the search for moisture in "Weather"). There are so many truly beautiful moments from start to finish in all five episodes, yet 'A Perfect Planet' also doesn't skirt over the more brutal side of nature. Evident when showing the predators in an uncompromising way (have seldom seen storks this creepy) and how the environments and animals are being affected by climate change.

Speaking of that, as this aspect has attracted heavy criticism for its heavy emphasis, to me the subject of climate change and what is said is a very important and relevant thing to address and talk about. Especially when hearing of its consequences on the habitats and animals and how they are being affected. It is a big issue, always has been and judging from the devastating statistics shown in "Oceans" and needs to be reiterated if people are still not getting it. It is admittedly laid on a bit too thickly in the still great and fascinating but at times over-serious "Humans" (my only complaint of the series), but actually the subject is covered well. Before rounding off, to me showing the work that goes behind the scenes was appreciated, which made me appreciate and admire their valiant work and what they have to go through to make all this possible.

Rounding off, absolutely wonderful. 9/10.

As I was scrolling reviews I saw one review stating that it feels like "A massive guilt trip". Also that it is annoying for him to hear humans suck and he don't need constant reminder.

I like to assure him to the fact that, in 100 years or so, nobody would again remind the people these things.

Why? Because, there would be little to no nature to talk about. People of the future would have to accept that new normal and fight for survival over the resources we take for granted now.

And why they are talking about human's mistakes more than before? Because, we live in the Atomic Age. The amount of power we hold is like never before. We are capable or blowing a bomb that can alter climate over our planet within a day. This is very critical time for us, as we can easily destroy our planet but cannot replace or leave it. So, this is the best time in history to talk about these and find ways to a better future as you may not admit it but nature affects you and your loved ones too.

Lastly, my best regards to Sir David and the team for a fabulous series. Thanks for working so hard even in such advanced age. I hope before Sir David leaves us, we can at least make him go with a feeling of accomplishment and positive hope for world he is leaving behind.

Each of the 5 episodes is spellbinding. I think this is essential viewing in the fight to save our planet. Attenborough is a remarkable man.

This new series superbly narrated by David Attenborough is a wake-up call to all of us. Whether you want to believe - or not - the hard-hitting messages on climate-change, deforestation and mankind's blatant and callous dismissal of that which will always be stronger than man himself - Mother Nature. And when I say mankind I mean men particularly rather than women.

Thank You to all behind the making of this wonderful production, and your continuing efforts to try to inform those who still choose not to believe.

Inspirational viewing.

This documentary talks about how the planet is kept in balance by natural forces, of course there's going to be reference to how humans are ruining everything.

It's not a guilt trip, it's reality and all the people hating are just ignorant or trying to find a reason to hate.

The series itself is beautifully shot and very informative, I especially enjoyed the BTS after each episode showing the filming process. It's not strictly an animal doc - it focuses more on processes and natural forces but still incorporates different and unique animals. If you're a nature fan I would highly recommend giving this a watch.

There are some haters spouting some daft and imbecile reviews about someone who has dedicated almost all his life depicting the Nature and the animals we human beings are viciously decimating out of greed and personal interest.

Which one of these haters have ever done anything good for the world or achieved something in their lives?

Are we blind? not seeing all the damage and destruction we are wreaking on this planet and all her beauties? Excess CO2 accumulation in the atmosphere is not a reality? That the oceans seas are becoming depleted from over-fishing a lie? That the oceans are gradually becoming choked with plastic is not a fact? That we are dumping pollutants and contaminants into the air and rivers and seas is a lie? The Amazon and tropical forests are razed and turned into palm trees plantations another lie? All the lethal agents in our bombs, missiles rockets and torpedoes that we use to kill ourselves all around the world is a lie? A short search in the internet to the websites of reliable universities and research centers will debunk all the nonessential reviews dumped by the haters.

He did not encourage us not to stop consuming, but to reduce consumption of resources of the Planet.

Wake up and look around yourself. What do you see?

Don't listen haters,its really great ,and its 100% true,and we have to own the things we done,it shows that,humans are responsible for climate change,excessive killing,its a fact,its not about politics and its the truth, i think everyone should watch this!its amazing!

Another "Planet" series from the Beeb means three things: the unparalleled presence of Attenborough, flawless camerawork of amazing things and a solemn acknowledgement of where it could all be going. Perfect Planet doesn't disappoint on any of these counts and shows our planet in remarkable form, focusing on five of the elemental forces that shape the realities of life all over the globe. Each one is remarkable, and alive with footage of things I've never before seen in glorious detail - frogs unfreezing, ants coalescing, hordes of newborn crabs coursing over stones. Shot across several years and many countries and assembled with flawless care during the pandemic (Sir David recorded the voiceover in his duvet-bedecked dining room) it easily matches up to the grandeur and weight of the earlier entries in the series.

A Perfect Planet is perhaps most notable for switching up the format of the show in the final "Humans" episode and becoming somewhat of an investigative piece about the stark causes and hard solutions facing the Earth - necessary and not without optimism but does lean a little hard on previously aired footage from the other episodes which makes it stick out somewhat and feel more like an "extra" than an equal installment. We live in hope that these cautionary tales seem quaint and dated in the future and our planet can edge closer to perfection.

The photography is amazing. Or to put it another way, the technology that has resulted from resource consumption has produced cinematographic instruments which capture vivid and highly focused images in whatver direction they are pointed.

They then take a large number of people, around the world to places previous photographed countless times. And they also take a CO2 spitting hovercraft which has to have an endless supply of resource applied to repair the worn out skirt (and more?).

Then a familiar voice is over dubbed to tell you to do something different.

Hypocrisy and questionable, one-sided waffle.

But the pictures are stunning. Watch it with the sound off.

Some neat video of wildlife you may have never seen before. But majority is Attenborough whining about global warming. In case you haven't heard, we only have 12 years left!!

Loved the way they have such a solid story line, different elements of earth and a beautiful narration so well done.

Second part is the Crew's life - So beautiful and different.

These together is one of the most interesting things I have seen in the longest time.

That's how you do a show ! Informative, Intriguing and emotioanal.

A near-perfection cinematography, stunning as usual, educational and inspiring, but children (last episode) shouldn't be used for promoting ideas, regardless of the best intentions.

This miniseries blew me away with its sheer richness and beauty. Attenborough never fails to outdo himself aswell as his team on every wildlife documentary project and his journeys across the globe. His passion for showing audiences across the world the secrets and detail of the nautural world and the wonderful creature that live in it, showcasing the fascinating was they have adapted to survive. It's his best yet.

Whatever the legend (Sir David Attenborough) touches turns into sparkling gold. The images are stunning and every shot was composed amazingly, bringing to our eyes the majesty and the marvels of nature and the wonderful world we are living in. A salute to those involved in making this wonderful series.

I hope this series will serve as a wake up call to all of us.

BBC continues to raise the bar for nature documentaries. Incredible photography, great writing, and very moving. A great reminder for new generations of what our planet uses to look like.

Everything about this series is stunning and the message is very clear on the effects we are having on our planet. Best of all no talking heads - just David.

What will we do if we ever lose Dave Attenborough?

National treasure Attenborough doing what he does best. I can forgive him the very small amount of lecturing.

Please cut the volume of the supposed background music. It is supposed to be 'background' but for me overwhelms Attenboroughs narration. If you want to know how to do background music, watch Mortimer and Whitehouse fishing series. Beautiful music but nothing is more important than the narration. I appreciate that all programmes these days are compiled by twenty somethings with perfect vision and hearing but we are not all blessed with those characteristics in our early 60's. For me, I struggle to watch a beautifully filmed, narrated and informative programme and after a life-time in the industry I find that very depressing.

I've listened to and watched David Attenborough for decades, and every series in the last few years has been wonderful visually, taking us to places on our planet that we could never hope to visit and experience. I love Attenborough's voice too. But..it is spoiled by the droning, almost constant banal orchestral strings, wearing me out while watching. Add to that, the dramatic music when a shoal of fish gets attacked is straight from dramas when a SWAT team moves in. Ambient sound is best, but I don't mind some created sound effects like swooshing water, but a crashing booming thud when a tiny lifeform grabs some prey is ridiculous. So, sometimes it's just subtitles for me.

This series as usual has stunning cinematic film but the constant over the top drumming of bad humans are killing everything gets old after a while.

Great photography by a dedicated team, but the whole show is utterly ruined by the sword of damecles hanging over every single episode. That sword is of course the BBC mandated preachy lecture on climate change, and the one sided nature of the messaging makes it nothing short of propaganda. The people who predicted the world would be devastated by 2020 are telling us their never ending stories of doom still. Maybe this time they're right but I'm always deeply suspicious of any program that only bothers with one side of the argument.