The Most Extreme – Season One (Animal Planet/Genius DVD)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C     Extras: D     Episodes: B

 

 

Though you cannot call it a glut, those who remember the early days of documentary science TV series when public TV just arrived could have never imagined there would be several channels devoted to such programming or produce more good shows than bad.  One of the most underrated and always compelling is Animal Planet’s The Most Extreme, showing the greatness of animals in the animal world who do not get (and can never get) enough attention.  Season One is now out in a 3-DVD set.

 

The 13 episodes here include:

 

1)     Jumpers

2)     Gluttons

3)     Speed

4)     Births

5)     Cheats

6)     Survivors

7)     Fighters

8)     Builders

9)     Horrors

10)  Thinkers

11)  Strength

12)  Lovers

13)  Biters

 

 

So thorough, this should be mandatory viewing in Junior High and probably sooner, produced in 2006 with Natural History New Zealand Ltd. and makes nature and science as easily accessible as it is exciting.  I looked forward to watching this set, had actually seen most of these shows before and could not believe how good these are made.  A must for any children’s DVD library.

 

The 1.33 X 1 image has some good color, originated on analog NTSC videotape and looks good for a late such TV series production, with even the digital scientific example animation holding up nicely.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo is surprisingly flat and should not sound this dull throughout the episodes.  There are no extras.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo