Life in Cold Blood
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Movie Reviews of Life in Cold Blood
Movie Review: The best herp documentaries out there
Summary: 5 Stars
I can forgive this the title (reptiles don't have "cold blood"; they thermoregulate to keep their core temps high enough to function). I can forgive that simply because this is, on the whole the best documentary we have on reptiles and amphibians. It is, in fact, what turned me on to the BBC nature documentaries.
This series goes beyond the easy, commonplace work of other films that focus on, say, Komodos or crocodiles. During the course of this series, species most people have never even heard of are explored in a wonderful, awe inspiring way.
In total, there are 5 episodes; one for a sort of overview (the cold blooded truth), one for amphibians, one for lizards, one for snakes and one that combined both turtles and crocs. All are wonderfully shot; one thing the BBC has going for it is an excellent film crew. Shots are well composed, narration is crisp and relevant. These are not just good documentaries; they're artistically made movies. That they manage to treat the subject they cover so well is amazing. Combining good documentary techniques with excellent filmaking is rare and wonderful.
Each episode covers a wide range of it's subject matter; the amphibian episode actually covers caecilians for instance, and the lizard episode covers far more than than the over-exposed Komodo--pygmy chameleons, shingleback skinks, dwarf blue tongue skinks all get coverage. In the snakes episode, they discuss rattlers and giant pythons...but they also discuss the Queen snake (a crayfish specialist). In the episode about chelonians and crocs they deal with the Galapagos tortoises...but also the fly-river (or pig-nosed) turtle. They cover the migration of the spectacled caiman...and show a female caiman helping the young to complete the journey. The range of species is amazing, and it's gratifying to find a documentary that does not focus on the same handful of reptiles as every other documentary does. That it not only mentions but also actually explores these forgotten species is even better.
If you like herps, or if you just like nature documentaries...get this. It's one of the few worthwhile reptile documentaries, and the only really good one I've seen.
Movie Review: Its OK even if you see Sir Attenborough 'on-screen' more than usual..
Summary: 5 Stars
No comments on the product itself. It is a great natural documentary just like many others by BBC. The only thing that was disliked by many reviewers is the presence of David Attenborough 'on-screen' a little too much. Agree. You see him for a lot of part, but its still OK. It is good to know how much of efforts are taken to make such documentaries. Its not that we don't understand, but not many of us will go to the 'special chapters' where they reveal the tactics of how this was filmed. If we are forced to see it right in the middle of the feature, then we have no escape. This point is highly debatable, but I don't want to stress on it, because, to me, the information provided by Sir Attenborough is really worth-he even tells us some history about how technological advances have helped in making such documentaries in the recent hi-res formats (information-a critical part of a documentary, isn't?). So, its no harm in watching him on-screen in one of the documentaries especially when we have enjoyed several of them narrated by him in the past (as he took us on the most mesmerizing/breathtaking/enchanting rides across the globe without showing up himself). Hence, I believe, we can overlook this point when purchasing this DVD. Because, for the quality, this is a 'must-have' in your collection besides Planet earth and Blue Planet. This collection is a brilliant specific compilation of reptiles and amphibians specifically and hence, it reveals them in full details (Not 'touch base' kinda thing that happens in broad-scoped series like Planet Earth).
Unrelated but Important point- Recently i visited one zoo and thereby re-realized strongly how lucky I was to see so many animals in their natural habitat from my couch (in BBC wildlife series). Most animals in zoo will either be sitting in a corner or all curled up not revealing their faces. Many times it is so difficult to spot them even in a confined environment. In this regard, it is really a treat to have such documentaris home, which take us from one pole to another within minutes (all in 20-50 bucks). Taking this point, I guess it should not be too hard for us to watch those people (who are behind these great films) on TV for a while.
Movie Review: finally they did it!
Summary: 5 Stars
I had been hoping for a reptile/amphibium documentary from the BBC Life folks for a long time (intially thought Life In The Undergrowth might be it :) There have been precious few reptile/amphibium documentaries ever done (the PBS Nature version is terrible), so this was a very welcome surprise.
GOOD POINTS:
- very educational with respect to the evolution and natural history of the different animals
- some really superb photography
- 5 episodes, allows for reasonable coverage. I would have liked more... like 20 hrs of my favorite subject. :)
- like all BBC docs, has the resolution to fully fill a 16:9 screen w/o the black bars... looks great.
LESS GOOD POINT:
- a bit more of David on screen than I would prefer (have felt the same of most of the Life series). This series has perhaps the most of David on camera, and I am really most interested in the subjects. Also, there is some handling of subjects in the field that is not the best example to set.
But all in all it is quite a nice documentary and a 'must have' for long time amateur herpatologists like me. I believe most anybody with an interest in the Life series will enjoy this, and kids of course. Highly recommended!
Movie Review: Entertaining and Educational!
Summary: 5 Stars
Life in Cold Blood is actually a set of documentaries that bring to life some of the most fascinating creatures on earth: amphibians and reptiles.
The amount of effort and research put into this project, along with the latest in technology equipment, helps transport the viewer to the creatures' natural habitat creating a strong sense of excitement and anticipation.
Moreover, David Attenborough's narrative abilities are the cherry on the cake in what can only be described as flawless work. In short, he does a great job of presenting these magnificent and sometimes terrifying creatures.
Strongly recommended, for those with a soft spot for all things natural, along with the National Geographic's Search for the Ultimate Survivor, Chased by Sea Monsters, and the Walking with Dinosaurs, Walking with Beasts and Walking with Cavemen series. 5 Stars!
Movie Review: The Great Artist's Last?
Summary: 5 Stars
A David Attenborough film as I have grown accustomed to see them. Short sequences so beautiful that they take my breath away and nearly take my attention away from the subject. Nearly, yet they never do, just as Attenborough himself, appearing as a charming guide, never attracts attention away from but always to the filmed frog or chameleon, filmed not as an object but as an individual with whom Attenborough empathizes.
As usual with Attenborough films, this one abounds in most colorful animals, rarest animals, most fascinating behavior, recent scientific observations... As usual, Attenborough's assistants, scientists and filmmakers of great talent, are never an eye sore but discretely shown in separate parts where they seem appropriate and even necessary.
A masterpiece, comparable only to other films by the same Great Artist.