Dream Big: Engineering Our World

8th grade level content. 10 minutes in and we're still getting narration at 35 words per minute. Contrast that to Carl Sagan's Cosmos with 75 words per minute and words of a more difficult to comprehend nature. "Where's the Beef?"

The title makes you think you're going to see the biggest engineering structures created and that's what I expected to see and you can't avoid to feel very disappointed with the minor projects, unwanted personal stories and amazing but very few sceneries of actual structures standing in place right now. Very disappointing

The 8/10 review by Jollen has a comprehensive review of the programme and I recommend reading this too.

I have though rated this 6 based on the information (4) and the scenery (2). The programme is 42 minutes long but doesn't actually start until 5 minutes in. Jeff Bridges is not a great narrator, his voice isn't overly clear and I had to listen intently.

All the segments are led by female engineers, which must have been the intention. This aside, there is some interesting information and encouragement to become an engineer, the latter again no doubt the reason for the programme. I did find the programme engaging overall.

The less positive: The second segment, which is based in Africa, has an African style song. This song is used in each successive segment and no longer fits with the style of what we are being shown. Some of the segments should be longer or should not be included at all. We are shown the Great Wall of China but more time is given to what it looks like than to how it was made or remains standing. The last segment is on a new San Fransisco transport hub, saying it is going to be greener and more efficient, but no further detail is given. There is a lot of time wasted on unnecessary scenic views (based on the programme's intent) and unnecessary graphics.

Some great footage in here but the pacing and editing felt kinda odd. Think they tried to cover too much rather than going into more detail on a smaller number of topics. You jump around lots of places and nothing felt linked together. Just didn't work for me.

I found this on DVD from my local library. It was made as an IMAX film so the sound and video are first rate.

Jeff Bridges narrates. It features a few engineers, and a team of high school students, using engineering principles to solve big problems. Like buildings that won't crumble in an earthquake, tall buildings that withstand typhoon winds, a bridge over a dangerous remote river so students can get to school, a canal system in Scotland, an underwater robot competition. It also has a good focus on opportunities for girls and ladies to get into engineering.

Overall a very satisfying and informative presentation. I don't get why there are a few very negative reviews here.