South Pacific

I'm usually not a big fan of documentaries, but "South Pacific BBC" is an exception. This 6-part BBC mini-series of the South Pacific shows not only clichéd postcard-style images, but also the south pacific's diverse wildlife, people, history and its condition today.

Interesting stories alternate with amazing images from the air as well as in the water. At the end of every Episode, the "South Pacific Diaries" show the difficulties the team experienced while filming and the high-tech material they used.

As the BBC is not only ad-driven, they were able to invest a huge amount of money, which pays off: top-notch direction, sound, narrating and image quality (check the blu-ray!). I see no big flaws, only the wildlife parts are in a few cases a bit boring.

This program features above standard BBC Cinematography and is blessed with an incredible soundtrack/voiceover. Benedict Cumberbatch does an amazing job painting a picture for the viewer's ears while a stellar soundtrack interweaves the many moods shown throughout the documentary. I wish this was still on Netflix, one of my favorite mini series and a true gem.

This is outstanding series of exploration of region never filmed or no human ever seen before. The way stories are covered are very well organized and gives pleasant when watching. There are plethora of shots which clearly seem to be taken with well planning and patience with perfect angle and position.

Every series prepared with rhythmic storyline. For example, Endless Blue starts with lost sailors and move towards life of sperm whale, and then go in-depth of middle south-pacific to explore species that we never ever seen and never filmed before or say explored by anyone.

Use of high-definition and slow-motion cameras makes the scenes perfect

Benedict Cumberbatch narrates this six hour-long BBC nature series about the south pacific. The first episode jumps around from island to island. The predator caterpillars are incredible although the jumping around gets random. There is a structure from episode to episode but this show needs a simple map or better computer animations to explain the structure. For example, the Castaway episode could illustrated more clearly the migration routes and the vast distances through an animated map. In the Volcano episode, the life cycle of the volcano can be illustrated with simple animation. The sixth episode does have some disturbing fishing imagery which has a sad beauty in high def.

Despite the jumping around and a need for clearer expositions, this series is simply beautiful. The creatures, the waters, and even the people are impossibly exotic and wonderfully amazing. The rolling waves and 'Over the Rainbow' closing credits fill me with a relaxed deserted-tropical-beach joy.

If, like me, you're watching after discovering that Benedict Cumberbatch struggles to say "penguins", you might be bit disappointed. The actually says it correctly frequently. Of course, it's still funny when he says "peng-wings" or "peng-lings". If you're unfamiliar, just google it. It's hilarious.

That being said, I didn't just watch it because of his narration. I'm a nature lover & former Sea World Educator, as well. The photography & cinematography is absolutely stunning. Its also very interesting. I do wish that the narration didn't say the types of animals all the time. For example, it specifies robber/coconut crap, but not rock hopper & other breeds of penguins.

Whether you're watching because you're a nature lover, Benedict Cumberbatch fan (CumberCollective), or both, I highly recommend this documentary.

Side note- as BC has a great choice for narration you can discover more documentaries under the "as self" category on his page. He also narrates audiobooksn as well.