Saving A Species – Gorillas On The Brink (Genius/Animal Planet DVD)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C Main Program: B-
What is
the problem with people who maim and kill animals, especially for no good
reason? It says something about how sick
the human species can be, especially convinced in some psychotic way that the
unnatural is better than the natural, that animals are somehow disposable when
they are priceless. It is behavior that
is as sick as it is unacceptable and Saving
A Species – Gorillas On The Brink shows us the danger some vital primates
are in.
Natalie
Portman hosts this key awareness program telling the story of how these animals
ware killed for no reason and what can be done (and is being done) to protect
them. Jack Hanna even shows up, but it
is the primates themselves who are the big stars; amazing creatures we take for
granted more often than you might imagine.
Since the 1980s, there has been a backward slide against animal
protection and we can only hope that the efforts by those here, powerful
governments and even powerful corporations can make a difference. A fine show worth a good look, Portman is a
wonderful host and her participation just reinforces why she deserves to be a
big star.
The
letterboxed 1.78 X 1 image may have been shot in HD, maybe low def, but looks
good enough here without being too soft or problematic. The Dolby Digital 2.0 is simple stereo at
best. The only extra is a behind the
scenes look at the program, driving its points home further.
- Nicholas Sheffo