6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The Big Blue contains these five programs: The Big Blue, Under the Sea, The Underwater City, The Frontier of the Sea, and On the Seaside. Oceans cover 70% of the Earth's surface, but there is still much we do not know about them. Immerse yourself in this mysterious and miraculous world. From sea-beds and magnificent coral reefs to rocky cliffs and coastlines pounded by the sea, witness the ingenious ways in which a multitude of species adapt to their environments and fend off predators.
Documentary | 100% |
Nature | 89% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080i
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: Dolby Digital 2.0
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Spanning five continents and running 26 episodes in length, “Water Life” is the latest nature series to bring viewers a first-hand look at the beauty that’s evident in the world around us. The footage on display throughout the series was captured over a 16-month period by three separate teams consisting of the world’s top nature cinematographers, naturalists, and divers, who’s goal was to capture various aquatic ecosystems using innovative camera techniques to create a fascinating perspective. After filming ended, the 100+ hours of footage was edited into a thirteen hour runtime and divided up to meet the individual theme of each episode. Broadcast internationally on Discovery HD, “Water Life” was originally produced by Spain’s CIN. TV in conjunction with the World Wildlife Federation and the United Nations Water for Life Decade of Action Committee, which explains the conservationist theme that underlies part of the production.
Schools of fish swim through the coral-covered remains of a ship.
Presented in 1080i utilizing the AVC codec (at an average bitrate of 28Mbps) Water Life: The Big Blue suffers from a less pronounced version of the same problem that plagued the first and second discs in the series. The problem I'm referring to is some readily apparent ringing around edges, which don't maintain the stability we've come to expect on Blu-ray. For an example, look for the rock-covered beaches in episode four, paying close attention to movement within the static image (I guarantee those rocks aren't moving by themselves). Rather than a consistent picture, you'll notice some light shimmering as if the transfer is incapable of clearly identifying the dormant pebbles. The other minor problem that crept up from time to time, is a slight haziness caused by a handful of underwater shots. Close up views of the underwater life remain clearly defined, but the distant shots are occasionally hit and miss. Despite the handful of shots just mentioned, the level of detail on the disc is very impressive, with crisp textures and well-defined inner edges. The color spectrum is equally proficient, with bright, naturalistic tones creating a lovely 3-dimensional pop that will make you feel as if you're right there swimming with the camera crew. Likewise, black levels offer excellent depth, and contrast never demonstrated a shred of wavering differentiation.
Aside from the disappointing byproduct (ringing) of choosing 1080i for the transfer, I was still quite pleased with the visuals on the disc and firmly believe most viewers will be happy with the quality on display.
My expectations were already tempered going into this release, since I was aware from the first Water Life discs that all we'd receive is a Dolby Digital 2.0 track with English narration. Similar to the first disc, the clarity, volume balance, and incorporation of environmental audio effects are all excellent for a front-heavy lossy mix, but I still feel a lossless mix could have sounded a bit more robust. The one thing I did notice this time around, is the incorporation of a select number of musical choices that appear time and time again throughout the episodes. It probably isn't noticeable if you choose to watch the series one episode at a time, but since I'm rolling through them in a relatively brief period of time, it became slightly tedious hearing the same music repeatedly (the best example would be watching the intro to a television episode fifteen times during a twenty-four hour period). As it stands, the audio track is serviceable (or even a little above average) for a television documentary, but could have been better with a lossless mix.
In an odd move, there are zero subtitles included on the disc, and English is the only language choice for the narration. I'd assume there's adequate space on the disc to include additional Dolby Digital audio tracks or subtitles for non-English speaking viewers, so it's a bit puzzling to have such a lack of options. Especially when you consider the production is aimed at international distribution and carries a message that should be relevant globally.
There are zero extras on the disc
Water Life: The Big Blue offers an interesting conclusion to an entertaining series. I wish the disc possessed more variation in the locations on display, but those with a profound interest in ocean wildlife will find plenty to enjoy over the course of the five episodes. Most of you are likely curious how this compares with "Planet Earth" (which currently holds the gold medal for high-definition nature series), and I have to admit that "Water Life" still registers a little lower in the quality scale. However, if you possess an appreciation for the wonders of nature and an interest in educating yourself on Earth's most abundant resource, this series should fit the bill nicely. From a technical standpoint, I wish the disc utilized full-resolution 1080p rather than 1080i, since we need the visuals to look as pristine as possible to enhance the entertainment value of the production. The noticeable ringing around edges mars an otherwise beautiful presentation, causing a degree of lost integrity in the source material. Having said that, I'm still of the opinion that "Water Life" would make for a worthy addition to the collection of any nature lover.
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