Tuesday 24 November 2009

Galapagos [Blu-ray]

Galapagos [Blu-ray] Review



Incredible footage on par if not better than Planet Earth. The BBC has really done a wonderful job. The narrator's voice doesn't quite give me that "Child listening to grandpa tell a story" feeling that I get when I hear David Attenborough (sp?) talk. The film manages to touch upon the subject of conservation without being rediculously preachy. Thankfully, Galapagos does not speak of the fictional boogeyman of manmade global warming(or does it so briefly that I cannot remember), so I didn't have to roll my eyes or laugh at the absurdity of the idea at any point in the documentary.

One fixation the show has is on Charles Darwin. I am a believer in evolution, however, God designed his creations with that ability, ironically leaving humans to be largely unchanged (with the exception of our minds). Thankfully, Galapagos also avoids the sensitive subject of religion and manages to see Darwin's observations as simple science, leaving religion up to the viewer. One thing I do find myself wondering while watching is, "How can someone see things as beautiful as the life in this documentary and not believe that a perfect Being created it all?". Yes...Galapagos IS that breathtaking.




Galapagos [Blu-ray] Overview


Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 10/02/2007 Rating: Nr


Galapagos [Blu-ray] Specifications


While its title may be superfluous, Galapagos: The Islands That Changed the World is a beautifully filmed journey into "the islands of the tortoise." Located due west of Ecuador, the Galapagos islands are full of gorgeous scenery and exotic wildlife. And this 150-minute documentary shows it all, thanks to stunning cinematography shot from all viewpoints--the air, sea and, of course, land. The collection is both soothing and exhilarating as it allows viewers to peek in on mating albatrosses (which are monogamous), penguins fishing, and surprisingly graceful giant tortoises swimming in the ocean. The filmmakers also manage to capture a ferocious volcanic eruption that is amazing in its clarity. The problem with many documentaries lies in the narration. A documentary filmmaker hits the jackpot when he is able to get someone like Sigourney Weaver, whose crisp narration fits in beautifully with the sweeping footage in Planet Earth. While Tilda Swanton lends a relaxing quality to Galapagos, her voice at times is a bit too lulling to hold the viewer's interest. The writing also borders on melodramatic, with talk of the simmering sea and such. With visuals as stunning as this, hyperbole is unnecessary. Charles Darwin has described the Galapagos as a world within itself, and it is said that the islands were one of his inspirations for his book The Origin of Species. While the film doesn't clearly explain why the Galapagos are unlike any other place on earth, it does showcase a destination that is unlike what most of us know. --Jae-Ha Kim

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