America's National Parks: An Eagle's View Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.5

America's National Parks: An Eagle's View Blu-ray Movie Review

Overviews via overviews.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 22, 2013

America's National Parks: An Eagle's View serves as, basically, primers for the National Parks the series has already visited in greater detail in other "Exploration" videos. The Documentary flies over and introduces viewers to Acadia National Park, The Great Smoky Mountains, The Everglades, Voyageurs, The Black Hills and the Badlands, The Rocky Mountains, Grand Teton and Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, The Cascade Mountain Range, and Yosemite and the High Sierras.

Looking down on beauty.

National Parks: An Eagle's View maintains the series' trademark cadence, retaining the same passionate but balanced narration and delivering a truly relaxing but at the same time informative presentation. There's a clear enthusiasm for the material and an appreciation for it, not simply for the superficial beauty but the deeper wonders, the greater history, what these places really mean to a nation and its peoples. While it's not so in-depth as its companion films, there's something to be said for the general overview approach. It's an easily accessible Documentary that lacks deeper insight -- the detailed history, the lengthy park ranger discussions, the up-close photography found in the other features -- but that does satisfy a core craving for knowledge and beauty rolled into one good burst.

America's National Parks: An Eagle's View Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

America's National Parks: An Eagle's View doesn't differ in quality from the other releases. It's appears sourced from older HD video cameras, offering serviceable definition but little more. The aerial shots, which construct the bulk of the program, cannot show much definition below aside from basic tree shape and distinction one from the other. A few shots closer to the ground manage a more stable, crisp, better defined picture. Colors appear slightly washed out, but basic colors, particularly greens and earth tones, come through nicely enough. There are softer looking shots and some light compression related issues, but overall the transfer proves adequate.

America's National Parks: An Eagle's View Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

America's National Parks: An Eagle's View features a straightforward Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack. Narration comes through clearly but doesn't replicate that desired lifelike presence found on the best lossless tracks. Musical delivery is satisfyingly smooth and clear, with good spacing across the front side of the stage.

America's National Parks: An Eagle's View Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

America's National Parks: An Eagle's View contains no supplemental content.

America's National Parks: An Eagle's View Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

America's National Parks: An Eagle's View is best enjoyed as a primer to the other National Parks releases or as a time-saving overview that hits most of the highlights. It's not in-depth, but considering the low price and good program quality, this release comes recommended to sofa travelers and educators looking for material suitable for the Geography classroom.