7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Travel through the galaxies and explore extraterrestrial phenomenon with this sweeping examination of the universe from The History Channel, which uses state-of-the-art computer technology to take viewers up close to distant planets and stars. Topics include black holes, comets, alien galaxies, star deaths, the moon, the interior of the sun and much more. All 13 episodes from the first season are included, plus the bonus episode "Beyond the Big Bang."
Narrator: Erik ThompsonDocumentary | 100% |
Nature | 80% |
History | 42% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080i
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: LPCM 2.0
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Four-disc set (4 BDs)
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 2.5 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Has there ever been a more compelling, more confounding quest than the search for the secrets of the universe? How many billions of people have asked themselves whether chance, fate, or a supreme deity holds the reigns of existence? How many intellectuals and laymen have longed to understand the very nature of the cosmos? Young or old, rich or poor, brilliant or simpleminded, curious souls have spent countless millennia searching for answers they may never find; investing their days, faith, money, and effort into uncovering the truth at the heart of reality. Thankfully, we live in a day and age where the latest information is available at the click of button, making our search for answers decidedly easier. Whether perusing the internet or soaking up a sprawling documentary series like The Universe, anyone with the time and willpower can begin to amass as much knowledge as they desire.
Similar to the Blu-ray release of its first season, The Universe: The Complete Season Two features a commendable 1080i/VC-1 transfer that, more often than not, does a fine job capturing the visual splendor of the heavens. Comets and stars are rendered with vibrant primaries, the depths of space is dark and foreboding, and detail is crisp and revealing. I was continually surprised by the clarity of the series' textures, and impressed by the stability of its CG sequences. Granted, a hodgepodge of sources, from archive footage to interview segments, make for an uneven viewing experience, but anyone who's ever watched a documentary will be completely unfazed by any such inconsistencies. If I have one major complaint, it's that the technical image is weak in the knees. Noticeable artifacting, frequent crush, heavy banding, and minor aliasing pop up from time to time to spoil the otherwise attractive presentation. Still, considering the nature of the production, The Universe looks pretty good.
Unfortunately, like its predecessor, The Universe: The Complete Season Two, is hindered by an underwhelming PCM stereo mix that fails to envelop the listener as readily as the series and its video transfer grabs hold of a viewer. Each episode's narration is clean but hemmed in, effects are passable but pinched, and the series' musical score is boisterous but restricted. Worse still, the front-heavy sonics aren't immersive enough to match the stunning visuals. I would have loved to hear solar flares blaze past my ears, to sit boldly amidst the destruction of an imploding star, or cower at the aural majesty of a massive black hole. Instead, I was abandoned on the outskirts of such phenomenal events, longing to hear them as they were meant to be heard. Ah well, I suppose the PCM mix gets the job done well enough... it just would have been nice to sink into the universe rather than watch it unfold before me.
While there isn't a lot of supplemental material to go around, this 4-disc set offers fans a bonus 56-minute episode of sorts called Backyard Astronomers. Digging into the world of amateur star-gazing, it documents the passion of everyday men and women who spend their free time exploring the universe from their back porches.
Even at thirty, I still have a lot to learn. Thankfully, I have documentary series like The Universe to help me do just that. While it isn't the sort of family-friendly crowd pleaser I would watch with my four-year-old son, it's an incredibly educational and engrossing jaunt through the universe. Sure, A&E's 4-disc Blu-ray release is a bit uneven -- rising and falling with a solid video transfer, a limited PCM stereo track, and a shallow supplemental package -- but documentary fans will have a hard time working themselves into a tizzy over such a treasure trove of information. Alongside its first season (available now) and the upcoming release of its third season (available September 29th), The Universe: The Complete Season Two is a good set to add to your collection.
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Ancient Mysteries Solved
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