8.2 | / 10 |
Users | 4.7 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The Pacific includes some of the most remote spots on the planet - yet there's not a single island that has avoided colonizers, whether it be plants, animals or humans - and generally all three. Go beyond clichéd images of swaying palms and idyllic beaches to explore this immense and surprising ocean as it has never been seen before. One ocean, 25,000 islands, half the water on Earth.
Documentary | 100% |
Nature | 86% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080i
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Earlier this year, thousands of eagle-eyed documentary enthusiasts stumbled across a minute-long YouTube teaser that instantly made the BBC Natural History Unit's South Pacific one of the must-see series of the summer. That single clip not only encapsulated the tone and vision of the six-part oceanic trek, it confirmed what most viewers already knew: that the NHU filmmakers are, without a doubt, some of the most talented and accomplished documentarians in the industry. Time and time again -- be it our humble Planet Earth, the Galapagos, the Ganges River, Wild China, or Nature's Most Amazing Events -- the NHU has unraveled the natural mysteries of our world, providing access to indescribable sights and wonders, and revealing the inner-workings of the diverse ecosystems scattered across the globe. In South Pacific, dubbed Wild Pacific for its US release, they not only capture some of the most stunning imagery I've encountered, they mine fresh and exciting material sure to thrill and entertain would-be explorers of all ages.
With more than 20,000 islands to explore, the possibilities are endless...
Wild Pacific features an attractive but problematic 1080i/VC-1 transfer that occasionally succumbs to the limitations of its various sources. The series palette is easily the highlight of the presentation, bolstering the absorbing blues of the Pacific Ocean with stable colors and vibrant contrast. Black levels are notable as well (despite the troubling fact that some of the deep-sea photography is plagued by persistent artifacting and crush), and dimensionality is, more often than not, quite convincing. Detail is spotty -- edge enhancement is used throughout each episode, fine textures aren't nearly as consistent as I had hoped, and the standard definition footage that pops up from time to time is an eyesore -- but the majority of shots look as if they'd be right at home on Planet Earth, Galapagos, or Ganges. The only significant cause for concern? The technical image sometimes struggles to keep up with the series gorgeous visuals. Banding, macroblocking, and source noise haunt several undersea locales, and aliasing is a regular offender. Even so, the Blu-ray edition of Wild Pacific trounces its DVD counterpart, makes a commendable effort to reach the high bar set by its BBC brethren and, in the grand scheme of things, looks pretty good.
Unlike many NHU documentary series available on Blu-ray, Wild Pacific soars with a meaty DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track; one that plunges Cumberbatch's measured narration into a world teeming with spectacular wildlife and natural wonders. Not only is his every word crisp and clear, his pauses grant the soundscape ample opportunity to surge forward and dominate the proceedings. LFE output releases a convincing cavalcade of crashing waves across the floor, satisfying rear speaker support spreads flocks of birds and flittering sea creatures across the soundfield, and crystal clear fidelity transforms the overall experience into a strong and stable joy. Better still, directionality is polished and precise, and pans are slick and smooth, making Wild Pacific stand out amidst other documentary releases limping by with a standard stereo mix. The episodes themselves still amount to a fairly chatty series, but BBC Video's excellent lossless track elevates the presentation and adds significant value to the release.
As is the case with BBC Video's recent release of Nature's Most Amazing Events, the 2-disc Blu-ray edition of Wild Pacific includes six, ten-minute behind-the-scenes featurettes -- one at the end of each episode. Not only are they surprisingly informative and engaging, they offer almost an hour of additional content. While it isn't the greatest supplemental package I've tackled, it is a solid one (particularly for a television documentary series). Be sure to stick around for each featurette.
I don't think I could ever grow tired of the BBC Natural History Unit's remarkable productions. They never cease to amaze, and they rarely make a misstep in their exploration of our planet's awe-inspiring wonders. Even with a somewhat problematic video transfer and a relatively trim supplemental package, the Blu-ray edition of Wild Pacific will still make for a solid addition to your home theater library, especially with such a remarkable DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track humming beneath the hood. Arguably minor shortcomings aside, documentary fans should give this release some serious consideration.
2009
2009
2008
2006
2007
BBC-Discovery | Narrated by Oprah Winfrey
2009
BBC
2011
2009
BBC
2011
The Original UK Series
2011
2009
2013
The Complete Series
2006
2011
2010
IMAX
2003
2001
1992
2007
IMAX 3D
2008