Hidden
Kingdoms (2014/BBC Blu-ray)
Picture:
A Sound: B+ Extras: A- Episodes: A
Hidden
Kingdoms (broadcast as Mini-Monsters of all things in a
U.S. version) is a solid experience from frame one to conclusion.
From the creators of the hit series Planet Earth 2014 comes
some of the most breathtaking cinematography and nature photography
to date. Narrated by Stephen Fry, the program shows us the world as
if it were seen by a chipmunk, dung beetle, Rufous elephant shrew or
a treeshrew. We are transported to a vast variety of atmospheres: a
lush savanna, a dry desert, a lush yet dangerous jungle, a forest and
the metropolis of Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo. As outlined in the
opening sequence, when you are less than a foot tall, raindrops fall
like meteorites and a breeze feels like a tornado!
Episodes
include Under Open Skies, Secret Forests, and Urban
Jungles.
This
disc has one of the best transfers I have seen on the Blu-ray format
boasting a 1080p 1.78 X 1 High Definition transfer with incredible
detail down to the last scale on the lizard's face. The audio is
also spectacular with a lossless DTS HD 5.1 track and subtitles in
English SDH. Note the location audio detail with the animals in
their habitat.
Extras
are the most interesting where the camera crew shows you how they
capture these creatures in their habitats in Creating The Shot
where we learn that some green screen technology was used on a small
scale along with meticulous camerawork to show the perspective these
creatures have. We also treated to a Mike Gunton Introduction,
Creating The Score, Extended Scene, and Storyboarding the
Beetles.
If
you are a animal or nature lover or just if you enjoy a good
documentary that's fun and easy to watch then this is definitely a
good pick for you! Recommended!
-
James Harland Lockhart V
www.vimeo.com/jamielockhart
