Cosmos

Disclaimer: This review is based exclusively on the first episode.

First things first. Audience of the original by Carl Sagan may be disappointed by this remake. It's almost exactly the same as the original, word by word. But with cheaper production methods, brighter colors and crisper sound. Most importantly, it's without Carl Sagan and Vangelis' excellent music. Also, the stuff covered is not as amusing to the grown up audience who had the pleasure of enjoying the original. You already know this stuff.

However, the qualities Cosmos presented to us in 1980, are still the same. It's a very inspiring series well suited to kickstart a young mind into independent critical thinking, curiosity and appreciation of science. The pace and presentation have been changed to better suit todays young, and older audience may not appreciate this. The pace is however still comfortably relaxed compared to other TV material aimed towards the same audience, making me think they will have a very similar experience to the own we had all those years ago. But this series is for the young, and I'm sure it has all the qualities the original had needed when it comes to trigger their curiosity, fascination and generally change the way they see themselves and the world they live in. Personally I think Tyson does a great job walking in Sagans footsteps.

Adults with much knowledge about our world criticizing the series for being shallow and bring few new details to the original don't impress me at all. They have misunderstood the whole point of this series, which is all about creating enthusiasm for science among the younger. Not updating adult geeks on the very latest on string theory.

Adults may not learn a lot, but you will be entertained. For the younger, this has the potential to be the same amazing ride as it was for us 35 years ago.

This was so much fun--and it is so amazing that Carl Sagan's wife, Seth McFarlane, and Tyson Degrasse from NOVA are all together on this! I love the idea of using animation to portray ancient people--it completely avoids the campy feel of actors in strange beards and so-so backgrounds. Genius, Family Guy guy. I love the perspective it gives you, by really squishing enormous concepts into feasible bits of knowledge. It's not so you'll impress your friends--its so that you watch, and understand why you are so amazed by the universe. The computer animation of some of one of the first creatures to walk on land looks pretty darn tootin' real, as well--something that I loved. No strange feelings that their feet were hovering above the sand as they were animated--this is high quality. Additionally, Tyson seems more personable, even more likable, and definitely watchable because of his knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject. This is worth the watch, a wonderful surprise, and I am super excited for episode two. It's getting me to the gym to watch it on the treadmill. :)

Being a long time lurker, I decided to register with the site in order to review Cosmos: A SpaceTime Odyssey. As a man with an insatiable appetite for all things science (especially astronomy and anthropology), I can't begin to describe what a delight this program is. My jaw hit the floor when I realized that this is a FOX production, as balanced educational programming is not exactly the company's strong suit. Neil pulls off an eloquent narration of the astrophysical origins of our universe, the development of life as we know it and the countless leaps in science achieved by it's often overlooked contributors (especially the disenfranchised but tenacious females that refused to fold under patriarchal power schemes). The production value is through the roof and enlivens the imagination of viewers young and old alike. I wish that I was exposed to this program as a child in school. I may have paid more attention and become a little more intellectually curious. I agree with the other posters who noted that ALL human beings should give this a watch. There is very little bias towards any speculative theory and a rich appreciation of the historicity of scientific thought. The search for meaning through empirical analysis and the hypothetico-deductive method was contributed to by so many civilizations over a vast period of time. This is the story of humanity. Beautiful, reckless, inquisitive and triumphant. I do also like how typical creationist arguments (some of them straw men perhaps) are dispatched with so quickly, and hope that some of those who rely strictly on ancient textual interpretations of the world open their minds to the truly awesome nature of reality that leaves us with questions instead of answers. The questions are for the brave.

This was an absolute blast to watch! I was excited from the moment that I found out that Cosmos would be returning to TV. It was, and still is, one of the shows as a child that really made me feel an overwhelming awe about reality and life as we have come to understand it. I applaud Seth Macfarlane and the FOX Network for taking a chance, and bringing this amazing mini- series to a new generation. Also HUGE kudos to Neil Degrasse Tyson for really taking the reigns, and conveying such amazing topics in thought provoking narrative terms that my daughter, and all children, can now easily understand and enjoy immensely. I really thought that everyone involved handled these topics in an elegant way in which to minimize the offense that a few may try to find with these subjects in which scientific evidence can actually back up. Thank you, to everyone involved, for the beautiful and amazing masterpiece that is... Cosmos...

i have been watching and loving films and TV shows for years now, and loving the study of the universe for even longer than that.

that being said, this is the first time i have ever felt the need to create an account on IMDb solely to rate something a "10"

this has an absolutely stunning, heartfelt, emotional introduction, and i only anticipate it getting better from here.

i will probably update this review as the series goes on, or i may just review episodes individually. but either way, i firmly suggest that every human being on earth watch this show.

have a good life everyone.