7 | / 10 |
Users | 2.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Nestled in the heart of America’s Great Plains are the distinct landscapes of a sacred land that beckons the visitor to enter the nation's mysterious and glorious west. A land of soaring pinnacles, deep canyons, hidden caves, national monuments and countless wildlife sanctuaries. It is also the place of the inglorious death of famed gunslinger, Wild Bill Hickok and the most sacred spot for the Lakota Sioux.
Director: Kenny JamesDocumentary | 100% |
Nature | 77% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080i
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: Dolby Digital 2.0
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 2.5 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
The birthplace of America's National Park system.
For readers familiar with the natural wonders Documentaries released through Mill Creek Home Entertainment, skip on to the "Final Words" section
below. National Parks Exploration Series: Yosemite - The High Sierras is more of the same, this release capturing the familiar rhythm and
even
dealing in several of the same natural American national treasures that have already been explored in previous entries. With the same narrator, the
same narrative flow, the same quality insight into the nation's finest natural locations, audiences who have seen any of the other releases know the
drill and know what to expect: a quality educational video with serviceable video and audio presentations at a rock-bottom, must-buy price point. But
for newcomers, or viewers whose only experience in Mill Creek Documentaries are the abysmal Beautiful Planet titles, fear not: this is a quality program, fit for duty in history,
geography,
and even science classrooms, educational and informative films that provide a well-rounded overview of the subject matter, in this case California's
High Sierras.
"Because it's there."
National Parks Exploration Series: Yosemite - The High Sierras arrives on Blu-ray with a basic, no-frills, flat and glossy 1080i HD video-captured, 1.78:1-framed high definition transfer. The image serviceably shows the material. It's probably best enjoyed in a classroom setting where picture quality is trumped by content. The HD video material appears flat and lifeless, generally. Details range from suitably sharp to soft and unimpressive. Extreme close-ups of rock faces and natural vegetation impress, but distant shots appear clumpy and smooth. Colors are fairly brilliant, whether bright greens, sunlight bouncing off surfaces, or even rock and rough terrains that show shades of gray and brown. There's some light buzzing noise, and a few of the older graphics show some blockiness and jagged edges. This is a highly watchable image; it doesn't capture the natural beauty as can and do the best Blu-ray nature documentaries, but for classroom duty and light educational or background home viewing, it's just fine.
As with most of the Mill Creek natural documentary Blu-ray releases, National Parks Exploration Series: Yosemite - The High Sierras features a Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack. Though just about the most basic track available, this is a film with fairly basic needs, and the 2.0 presentation -- lossy, even -- handles it well enough. Narration and park ranger/historian dialogue is mostly smooth and plays with adequate volume. However, there's a slight booming sensation behind many of the spoken words. Wind noise randomly gushes around the front with no clarity or realism, just bumping and crashing up against the microphone. What music there is can be slightly rumbly and rattly, but basic clarity is sufficient. There's a nearly constant underlying hiss. This is a very basic, no-frills sort of presentation, which defines not only the Blu-ray soundtrack but the source material as well. This one's best enjoyed in the classroom, where it will serve its purpose admirably.
This Blu-ray release of National Parks Exploration Series: Yosemite - The High Sierras contains no supplemental content.
Don't allow the deceptively low overall score dampen the prospects of a purchase of National Parks Exploration Series: Yosemite - The High Sierras. That low score is a cumulative account for the absence of extras and the mediocre technical presentation, but the program works well as intended. This is a tool more so than it is a film. it's great for the classroom or armchair naturalists in search of information, not necessarily entertainment. And considering the low, low price point, even Blu-ray collectors shouldn't shy away from adding yet another low-cost Mill Creek title to the collection. For educators, casual fans of natural beauties on home video, or Blu-ray completists, National Parks Exploration Series: Yosemite - The High Sierras comes recommended.
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IMAX
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IMAX 3D
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The Original UK Series
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BBC
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