Space

Also known as "Space", this is a masterpiece of a documentary. It is for all ages and explains in simple terms, the origins of our universe and our future in space, passing through every kind of known and unknown phenomenon, here on Earth or elsewhere.

Sam Neill ("Event Horizon", "Jurassic Park", "Merlin") takes you by the hand and through a holographic projector "launches" you into an adventure that spans various billions of years.

BBC has outdone itself in this documentary.

"Cosmos", hosted by Carl Sagan, was a unique milestone in explaining the Universe. It also was a masterpiece in its genre. "Hyperspace" is nothing else than its natural successor.

I loved every minute of it and I kept it running and running in my DVD player until I almost memorized the data.

The 3D recreations of galaxies, stars, planets and stellar phenomena are hauntingly realistic and offer a firework of the highest CGI design I have ever witnessed in a documentary of this sort.

Sam Neill is a fascinating, talented and multi-faceted actor and could manage to convince you to walk on water. With his suave and debonnaire way, he manages to explain science in such a way, that even the most unaware person would accept and understand.

All in all, if you are a documentary collector, or simply somebody who loves astronomy and space travel, you will have to own it.

But careful! If you watch it once, you may wish to watch it again. It is highly addictive. Consult a doctor for any counter-indication.

This is the sort of tabloid "science" program that devotes more screen time to special effects, spectacle and catastrophism than education. Any single episode of "Nova" contains more hard science than this entire series. I'm surprised there wasn't a chapter on horoscopes.

For the most part, this series is a blast, with Sam Neill clearly having fun playing interstellar tour guide. The special effects are amazing, though some of the science is a bit basic. This makes for a rousing first and final ten minutes, with things dragging a bit in the middle.

That said, this is an entertaining introduction to some of the newer and stranger theories in astronomy. Neill is at his avuncular best and the marriage of weird, stunning New Zealand scenery with all the cgi is remarkably effective. Certainly worth a look.

Also called "Hyperspace", this three hour BBC astronomy documentary, hosted by Sam Neill, consists of six self-contained topical programs, each one about 30 minutes in length: (1) Star Stuff, (2)Staying Alive, (3) Black Holes, (4) Are We Alone...?, (5) New Worlds, and (6) Boldly Go.

The photography, visual effects, and computer graphics are stunning. And the sound effects and music are appropriately cosmic. All of which combine to create a production that entertains, and encourages interest in space exploration.

That said, "Space" did not tell me anything I did not already know. There's very little in the documentary that has not been described or explained elsewhere. For adults who keep up with advances in astronomy, these six programs provide only a rehash of current knowledge, in layman's terms.

Overall, "Space" is a technically well-made program, suited especially to kids, as well as to adults who are new to astronomy.

Sam Neill continues to stun audiences again after "Jurassic Park" in this beautifully directed and presented documentary. Like Stanley Kubrick's movie "2001, A Space Odyssey", the vastness of space shows just how truly amazing our universe really is and just how insignificant mankind is on Earth.

The computer graphics are terrific and anyone who criticizes about how boring this documentary is because of the lack of action, obviously need to get out more and experience the world.

After watching this documentary series I have developed a new appreciation for life on Earth and in the universe, and maybe like Sam Neill suggests we might one day be able to travel to new exotic locations in this awesome universe.