'New Zealand Earth's Mythical Islands' "Cast Adrift" (2016)
Opening thoughts: The first episode of 'New Zealand Earth's Mythical Islands' "Cast Adrift", looking at the wildlife of the ancient forests of New Zealand that has been isolated since the dinosaur age, is a good start to what was a good, solid nature documentary series. It also does fit the definition of definitely worth seeing, if not a must. Very like the series itself. There are the pacing issues and the lack of depth (at times) that the whole series suffered from here in "Cast Adrift", but there are also the stunning visuals, the delivery of the narration and the entertainment value which matter a good deal more.
Not so good things: 15 minutes longer would have been great, with so much information this did feel a little too short and like there was a feel of too much content. The sequences with the sheep dogs and the more human aspect could have gone into a good deal more depth.
As a result of too much content in too little a space of time, the episode feels rushed, especially in the sheep dogs sequence. Some of it felt jumpy structurally.
Good things: There are so many good things however. "Cast Adrift" does look beautiful as was to be expected. The New Zealand scenery is stunning, the ancient forest actually not showing signs of age that much and having an air of mystery and photographed exquisitely. The music didn't strike me as melodramatic, too jaunty or intrusive.
While the writing for the narration didn't quite have the surprise factor of other documentaries, it was still educational and was engagingly and accessibly written. Nothing was heavy-handed, corny or patronising. It is very informative and did find myself learning a good deal, while also balancing the familiar (birds with eggs is not unfamiliar territory but everything with the kiwi was still cute) and not so familiar well. Really loved the penguins, and was not expecting to see them here. The content has good variety. Neill's narration delivery is as comforting as expected.
Closing thoughts: Overall, good but not great.
7/10.
Opening thoughts: The first episode of 'New Zealand Earth's Mythical Islands' "Cast Adrift", looking at the wildlife of the ancient forests of New Zealand that has been isolated since the dinosaur age, is a good start to what was a good, solid nature documentary series. It also does fit the definition of definitely worth seeing, if not a must. Very like the series itself. There are the pacing issues and the lack of depth (at times) that the whole series suffered from here in "Cast Adrift", but there are also the stunning visuals, the delivery of the narration and the entertainment value which matter a good deal more.
Not so good things: 15 minutes longer would have been great, with so much information this did feel a little too short and like there was a feel of too much content. The sequences with the sheep dogs and the more human aspect could have gone into a good deal more depth.
As a result of too much content in too little a space of time, the episode feels rushed, especially in the sheep dogs sequence. Some of it felt jumpy structurally.
Good things: There are so many good things however. "Cast Adrift" does look beautiful as was to be expected. The New Zealand scenery is stunning, the ancient forest actually not showing signs of age that much and having an air of mystery and photographed exquisitely. The music didn't strike me as melodramatic, too jaunty or intrusive.
While the writing for the narration didn't quite have the surprise factor of other documentaries, it was still educational and was engagingly and accessibly written. Nothing was heavy-handed, corny or patronising. It is very informative and did find myself learning a good deal, while also balancing the familiar (birds with eggs is not unfamiliar territory but everything with the kiwi was still cute) and not so familiar well. Really loved the penguins, and was not expecting to see them here. The content has good variety. Neill's narration delivery is as comforting as expected.
Closing thoughts: Overall, good but not great.
7/10.
