Avaliações de usuários

What a great show. Thank you for explaining things in a way that not only scientists can understand. Adding philosophy into the mix of science and really beautiful cinematography and visual special effects. So many unnecessary hateful comments for a show that brings so much to the table for the full range of viewers who have access to this. This show is created for all not just those who are experts in the subject. If it wasn't 'dumbed down' many of us would have no interest in this. Dr Cox is to the Universe what Richard Attenborough is to Planet Earth. We appreciate you Dr Cox. Don't ever stop delivering this type of content for years to come.

I would agree that this isn't Brian Cox's best show. That would probably be 'The Planets' and 'Wonders of Life', both fantastic works of art and science communcation. However, I disagree with the notion that these sort of shows are dumbing down. Of course there are inaccuracies and oversimplifications (all worthy to note of course). But these shows were never meant to substitute physics textbooks. Rather they're meant to inspire, and boy do they inspire! And the poetic (almost religious) licence used to illustrate the universe is guiding people to learn more in doing so. For some it may even steer them towards a career in astrophysics, as Brian himself was by Carl Sagan. In due course, they may therefore amplify our curiosity and knowledge - smarting us up, as it were.

I'm on episode 3, and I find Universe is gorgeous to watch and fascinating to listen to. It's been accused of "dumbing down", but I don't agree. There's plenty of science and the BBC continue with their great 10 minute "how we did it" explanatory section at the end of the programme. This allows those who want a more human and detailed perspective to find out more about the new discoveries.

The CGI is awesome, music works perfectly. Brian Cox delivers in his usual absorbing style. There is definitely a more philosophical slant to the content, which I really liked.

Not sure why this is getting alot of negative reviews. People saying its "dumbed down" I think Brian himself would tell you these shows are not for people who already have advanced knowledge in planetary science or astrophysics. These programs are designed to entice the younger generation or to inspire adults who don't have a huge understanding of the universe. Everybody has to start from somwhere.

The CGI is beautifully done and the music fits very well. I for one have alot to thank Brian and the BBC for in terms of my knowledge of the universe. These programs have grown my knowledge and interest of the universe exponentially.

Brian Cox is the BEST!

I for one thoroughly enjoyed every episode. For me, you can't go wrong with Brian Cox. He makes it a lot more accessible for the average person (me) to understand about space/the universe and an array of other topics. The explanations Brian provides alongside some really cool animations, left me wanting to watch more and find out more. Would love another series in a couple of years time after the James Webb telescope is launched. Interesting, thought provoking and maybe a touch scary at times.

First, I thank Professor Brian Cox for this wonderful series. He explains difficult scientific subjects in such a poetic and simple way the almost everyone understands him. I love the way he blends philosophy into his series, mixed with astonishing views, making the series vibrant, interesting and thought provoking. The pauses are like intervals of silence in Yoga meditation, allowing the person to think about, ponder over the material presented and to let the material sink in.

I really do not understand the imbecile whining uttered by some reviewers. The material must have become "dumbed down" to let everyone enjoy and understand the series. Otherwise, It would be a stilted, dull, boring series.

As someone interested in astronomy and philosophy but definitely an amateur, I always enjoy Brian Cox's documentaries for their accessibility, quality and story telling. I found the series extremely informative and engaging. I personally enjoyed the CGI and music - Although it did feel quite indulgent, what could be more worthy of dramatisation than stars, galaxies, black holes and the origins of the universe itself? It feels important to make these concepts tangible and momentous, as they are. The use of Hubble's images through out is totally awe inspiring. Although I'm an environmentalist and I don't necessarily agree with how many locations were used, I thoroughly enjoyed the use of incredible footage from Earth drawing links with the patterns of nature in the cosmos. I would highly recommend for anyone curious about our place in the universe.

I suppose you can't please everyone. There's always going to be people who whinge and complain about things. I was very surprised though to read the reviews of Professor Brian Cox's new BBC series Universe. They were either moaning about the music, or criticising the presentation style. I would like to completely disagree with all the moaners and say I absolutely loved this series. It was stunning to look at, beautifully scored and superbly presented. I understood about 1% of it, but that's ok. It fired my curiosity to hit up Wikipedia and find out more. I take my hat off to all the brave and intrepid scientists and explorers who have boldly gone where I absolutely never will.

Well done again BBC for another fantastic documentary series.

There's little option but to be awestruck at the reveal of our Milky Way galaxy and the depth of the science that has revealed its workings - all made digestible by Dr Brian Cox and his engaging explanations for how things work.

Some stunning visual material (and soundtrack) and clever visual analogy elevate this show and deliver the poetics the subject matter deserves.

Update: This is pretty much the exact same show as PBS' NOVA Universe Revealed, they re-use the same graphics, locations, and storylines. I guess because PBS and BBC have a relationship, they both made the same show but with different hosts???

Given all of the solid folks out there making physics documentaries, he's probably the best host out there...although I learn more from watching prof jim al-khalili or matt o'dowd (pbs spacetime). Brian Cox's work is just far more entertaining than anyone else I watch. This review is only based on the first episode (will update if it changes)...and unfortunately, this is not his best work. It's really short on science. It seems more about having him make feel good statements about why the universe is so wonderful. It felt like they had nothing new to say, so they just filled the show with drivel.

It's an introduction to the universe , not an in-depth physics program ( that would leave 90% of us behind) therefore it's narration is aiming at the curious and not the A level physics student. The graphics are amazing and give an impression of what it really would look like "out there". Personally it's inspiring to see what is out there and it has made me want to learn more, perhaps with the open university.

Agree it's a slow paced series but I found it allowed time to think and wonder and gradually realise that we really are on a rock floating in a dark void around a star, makes you think doesn't it !!

As another review has already mentioned this is NOT Prof. Cox's best work. I'd go further. It's his worst.

The review in the Guardian talked about the dumbing down that is right through the programme. But it's worse than that. I know a bit about this subject and in the first half hour alone I spotted three statements made by the professor which at best could be categorized as "misleading" but at worst one might even say they were just wrong.

Firstly, he begins one segment with the statement that "in the beginning" there were filaments of dark matter across the universe. Okay, we'll allow the reference to Genesis with the "in the beginning" but the fact remains that "in the beginning" there was NOT a web of filaments across the universe. "In the beginning" there was the Big Bang, followed by a massive inflationary period, followed by fundamental particles forming, followed by ... and then there was, at some point well after "the beginning", the formation of a network of filaments of dark matter across the universe. So, no, "in the beginning" is just wrong.

Secondly, at one point he describes the life cycle of stars from Hydrogen and Helium right up to the heaviest element that is created in stellar nuclear fusion, iron. Correct. But then he goes on to say that in the life cycle of stars, the star then collapses and an implosion occurs with the resultant distribution of all these elements out into space to seed the creation of more stars. This time, a very misleading statement. Sure, many stars end their life in this way but they need to be of sufficient mass to do so. Our sun, for example, will not end in a supernova explosion as it just isn't large enough. Yes, in the early universe most stars were large enough for this to occur but to state this or at least implying that all stars end their lives in this way is wrong.

Thirdly, he specifically states that the elements that are created which are heavier than iron come from the collision of two stars. Where did that come from? It is well understood, well documented, and widely studied that the heavier elements from above iron in the table right up to Uranium are created during a supernova process when the collapse of a dying star towards the core fuses the remaining elements in the star's core into those heavier elements before the final explosion distributes them out into space where they eventually coalesce into other stellar systems and their planets (like Earth!). Collisions of stars? He knows better than that. I've never seen a reference to any astronomer observing the catastrophic collision of stars though a large star or black hole pulling matter away from a smaller companion star is common enough (and that doesn't create heavy elements). Probably heavier elements would be created IF or when stars collide (rare now but maybe more common early on?) but the main method of creation for heavier elements during the life of the universe has been supernova explosions at the end of a massive star's life.

But the errors weren't the worst of it.

The show was just incredibly slow and tedious.

The prof would make a statement with a sense of profoundness and then give us five or more seconds to absorb what he said and understand just how important it was. Then he would spend another few seconds enunciating another sentence equally profound (in his mind) and then give us another five or more seconds to understand how important the information was. On and on and on and on it went. Ad nauseum and I do mean nauseum.

I just wanted him to get on with it.

I would guess if you could edit out all the long gaps of silence (or music) in between the profound statements, the show could be reduced from 1 hour to maybe 45 minutes. It was that bad. Speed up the delivery as well instead of dragging out each sentence and you're down to 35-40 minutes tops.

The music? Just dreadful.

The CGI? Over the top and sometimes they lingered on images way WAY too long. Once we've seen the image of what a hot burning blue supergiant star looks like theoretically, did they really need to keep going back to the same image over and over and over again? I think not. I guess that paid for the special effects, so they wanted to get their money's worth.

We gave up after about 35 minutes when my wife said she was falling asleep.

We expect better Prof. Cox.

This show is a gorgeous cermon on the mesmerising beauty of nature on a cosmic scale that just screams to be seen in the best possible quality.

It is done with so much artistic craft, at times it is hard to fathom. Everything from the jawdropping visuals to the brilliant sound design and music to the thoughtful script and naration by dr. Brian Cox - it is perfect for a late evening zone-out, preferably assisted by some herbal concentration aids.

To not release this in 4K HDR on Bluray is a capital offence, in my opinion!

I hope BBC or whoever is in charge read this and make this happen, because the world needs it!

You kind of have to give it to Prof Cox. A once pop singer, now floppy haired philosopher.

Below the glossy Beeb exterior, there are questions about time, mortality, infinity...

While I may not agree with some sentiments, it is unarguably a fascinating series, and will open your eyes to how much of a spec we are!

It will make you question God, religion, life and all that. As stars collide, we question Supernovas, gravity and our little bit of The Milky Way - doomed into Singularity.

I doff my cap to Prof Cox, it's spine tingling TV on the BBC, along with Sir David's stuff, one of the classics that enable you to understand not only, who you are, but also where you come from.

I watched this program with a great deal of interest, because I've always been interested the big bang and have a number of questions about it. The program answered some of these questions, but raised a number of others. As a whole, the program seemed an interesting mix of striking imagery, stirring music, poetry and science. Some of my unanswered questions. Before the big bang, we are told, the universe consisted of waves of dark energy, presumably there for an eternity. What, then, caused it to begin to compress, and what at that time rather than 15 billion years ago, or five? It compressed to a point of incredible energy. Do we know where? After the big bang, the French mission shows us, the universe consisted of light and dark patches of energy which later transformed into the universe as we know it. Was that original universe as big as today's, since it seems to be continually expanding? Was that universe immediately after the big bang also expanding? If so, and if the big bang was at one point in space, why is there not a huge area of space from which all matter has moved away?

To be a kid sitting in science class again... I got that same feeling of wonder watching this amazingly illustrated documentary. As a huge Brian Cox fan I once again enjoyed his way of describing very complex theories through understandable methaphores. It's like he personally ushers you from the camp fire to the edges of the universe and back. Somehow it all makes sense and doesn't. That's what it's all about!

If you're looking for detailed scientific information it might not be for you. If you're looking for a trip beyond our miniscule human existence, it might be.

I wouldn't mind a second season of ten parts, that goes into each topic more in depth, but this is definitely in my top 5 documentaries ever if I need to get away from earth for a few hours.

I'm baffled that so many reviews of this fail to consider that maybe this is a piece intended as an introduction to the science of the universe and it's origins. I will agree the pacing of the narration was a little drawn out and there was probably a little to much reliance on CGI animation. I personally prefer a lot more time spent with the scientists and engineers that built, launched and used the telescopes that gathered the majority of the data the show is using to tell it's story. I'm a sucker watching grown highly qualified scientists and engineers just geek out and get excited about what they've been doing.

I'm a nerd and love space so a lot of what Brian Cox covers I already knew and I'm fine with that. The entitlement in some people that every doc created MUST keep pace with THEIR knowledge and understanding...seriously? Wise up.

Don't get me wrong, Professor Cox is a fantastic communicator, extremely humble, and obviously loves what he does. For me, there simply wasn't enough science. Too reliant on special effects, & long sweeping shots of Professor Cox in far flung places. Someone mentioned on social media, that this should be shown in schools every year. Well, if that is the level of Physics & Astronomy you want to teach the next generation of Professor Cox's, you've got no chance. The last 2 episodes were a marked improvement on the first 3. Of course it lived up to the BBC mantra of Inform, Educate & Entertain, but just a bit too much of Entertaining & not enough of Informing & Educating.

Far too many "dramatic pauses" whenever there's an animation playing. Also there's an awful lot of stuff anyone with even a passing interest in astronomy/physics already knows.

CGI heavy. 10 minutes worth of content per 50 minute episode. Rehashed from prior series, often almost word for word what we've heard from Brian Cox many times before. Long pauses. Rampant edgy music. Ultimately boring, and nothing fresh here. Completely devoid of any scintillating insights. Fell asleep 3 times attempting to watch ep. 2.

The Universe is a 5 part series with episode titles: The Sun God Star, Alien Worlds, The Milky Way, Black Holes and The Big Bang. Each episode highlights at least one space telescope that was used to collect the data informing the main points in that episode. The format uses extensive 'artist impression' CGI and actual archival images where possible. The delivery style is Brian Cox inspirational shtick as usual. Episodes conclude with 5 minutes of supporting quotes from relevant researchers (listed as 'vocal performers' in the credits).

Brian Cox has narrated many astronomy and science TV documentaries. This one is sufficiently devoid of technical parameters to be suitable for the general public. The only newish information is Episode 3, which contains recent images from the Gaia 3D space map.

If you don't like Brian Cox the series is also available as Nova episodes (eg Dylan Moran parody: "Look at the Nebula. Look isn't it beautiful. It's made up of millions and millions of years of things you don't understand.")

The series was a co-production with PBS, and was released ex Brian Cox as Nova Universe Revealed episodes S48E17 to 21. They used narrator Talithia Williams and more extensive use of 'Vocal Performers'. The Name of the first episode was changed to Age of Stars.

One thing that disappoints me is the treatment of alien life in science documentaries delivered by the academic scientific establishment. There is now compelling evidence that UFO's exist (Navy ship radar, Fighter Jet radar, Fighter Jet FLIR targeting camera, unspecified space based assets and the human eyeball). The scientific establishment in their TV shows talk about the possibility of life existing on alien planets, and describe all manner of theories and possibilities, but they haven't mentioned that aliens are actually probably already here and have been watching us for the last 2000 years (aliens were first reported during Roman times). Is the scientific establishment so arrogant or stupid to completely ignore the possibility? The aliens are not following a Startrek First Contact Protocol - they are not worried about staying hidden. Their actions to date have not been threatening. They will hopefully introduce themselves when our technology has improved.

Mostly boring and Brian's so slow. At times they even stated the theories of the big bang and black holes as fact/irrefutable, when truly it is far more likely that there was a big implosion; that the universe is still within the singularity and that all we see is merely a virtual environment/dream, a result of the single consciousness/entity willing it to be.

The "simulation theory" is at least worthy of consideration, as good scientists. A good case in point for this is that there are an infinite set of points on a line segment, points are dimensionless and the distance between them is 0. 0 times even infinity is still 0; therefore, distance/space cannot exist and a big bang, and expansion, could not happen.

Just putting ideas out there.

This is a review of episode 1. Not sure if I'll watch any more. Most people would expect some discussion about how the universe began in episode 1. Nope. 'The universe was not empty, there was a cosmic web and lots of dark energy and this is how the first stars formed'. Hmm. And before that? Massive issue completely avoided. I once heard a chemist comment jokingly that astrophysicists have the luxury of just calling stuff dark if it doesn't fit their theories (dark energy, dark matter). Think of the implications of that- being asked to believe invisible energy and matter that we can't see. The present understanding of the laws of physics does not fit the big bang theory which is why dark energy and dark matter have been drafted in to cover the massive inconsistencies. Brian Cox seems like a pleasant person, but I feel there is a lack of humility about this program thus far, given how little we actually know about the origins of the universe. As other reviewers have pointed out, CGI and dramatic music don't make up for what is lacking.

My main point: "Universe" has ridiculous over-the-top music set to very pretty backdrops of people on piers, dads hugging their kids, and of course Brian Cox walking around in some far flung very remote location. I'm no scientist but I'm pretty sure the carbon expended to fly this guy and his giant film crew around the world isn't helping anything at all. Green screens do exist and they work quite well.

Main point emphasized: Please stop with the absurd music please. Every 5 minutes the producers want you to feel like you are inside Kubrick's 2001 and it's so bloody annoying.