प्रीहिस्टोरिक प्लैनेट

It was advertised as Planet Earth with Dinosaurs, and, that's what we got. It's nice to get truth in advertising for once. I just wish the series itself was longer (only 5 episodes?) and the behind-the-scenes looks were more in-depth. I wanted to hear more about the science behind how they knew all this stuff. Overall, really well done.

I am basing this little review off the first episode alone; it looks amazing. All of the animals behave in believable ways, and it's cool to see many creatures that we never have before. Although not explicitly spelled out for any slow audience members, it's clear alot of research and (very well educated) guesswork went into the series. There is a section to explain the science of some of the claims presented in the show, for anyone who has a hard time believing what their seeing as well. 9/10 CGI is choppy every once in a while when ocean creatures breach the water surface.

Is there anything better than settling in with a cup of tea and a nature show narrated by David Attenborough?!??? YES. Yes there is.

A DINOSAUR nature show narrated by David Attenborough.

'Nuf said.

If you enjoyed the 2002 BBC primetime programs, Walking with Dinosaurs and Walking with Prehistoric Beasts, then you're going to LOVE this new 2022 Apple TV series, Prehistoric Planet, convincingly narrated by David Attenborough.

Let's be clear - Prehistoric Planet is a combination of state-of-the-art imaging technology and speculation. Since human beings were not around to actually witness and document the appearance and activities of dinosaurs, series like these need to utilize a certain amount of "discretionary imagination." And that's OK, because unless we someday discover a way to grow living dinosaurs from DNA (as in Jurassic Park), we'll simply have to rely on fossilized skeletons to help us form a reasonable picture of what dinosaurs must have looked like 66 million years ago. And as Attenborough explains, Prehistoric Planet leverages what Paleontologists have learned about dinosaurs thus far. Case in point, in the 1993 film, Jurassic Park, Velociraptors looked much different than the ones portrayed in this 2022 series. These Velociraptors have broad tails and feathers!

What I like about Prehistoric Planet is that we get to see these extinct creatures behaving like genuine animals, and not terrible monsters. These dinosaurs protect their young from predators, a behavior seen in higher life forms such as dolphins and elephants. And more so, we get to have a deeper understanding of why dinosaurs were able to flourish and thrive virtually unabated for millions of years. Perhaps we Homo Sapiens can learn a few things about adaptation and survival from our very distant cousins.

As usual no spoilers here, but I will reveal that "Iron Man" director Jon Favreau wanted the production to have the look and feel of a theatrical blockbuster, with an educational component woven throughout it.

I am a forever fan of dinosaurs and actually paid for a majority of my college degree by doing paleoart for the geology department at my university. As a Paleoartist, I can truthfully say that this is one of the most beautiful and awe inspiring shows I have seen in a while. Everything from the movements to the colorations, to the perfect placement of filaments on the dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals is incredible !! I am blown away by the attention to detail.

Now for a little critique. Part of a Paleoartist job is to make educated guesses about what prehistoric life may have looked like. So, I understand firsthand what it means to get a little creative and loose with some of the interpretation of the fossil evidence. That being said I do feel that some of the interpretations seem to take creative license a little too far.

With paleoart, you do the best you can with the info you have .. then 10 years later they uncover more data and prove your art needs updating. I mean, look at the appearance of a spinosaurus even from 2005- now. So I guess In conclusion, I love love love this show. Is it 100% correct ?? Probably not, but it's beautiful to behold. This is a Paleoartist's dream come true.