8.2 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.7 |
All five episodes from the BBC documentary science series presented by Professor Brian Cox. Whether it's Saturn's rings, the solar flares of the Sun or the deserts of Mars, Professor Cox demonstrates how the forces that shaped our world are also responsible for creating some of the most breathtaking sights in our solar system.
Starring: Brian Cox (XX)Documentary | 100% |
Nature | 77% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080i
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: DTS-HD HR 5.1
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
When was the last time you gazed up at the stars? Not a casual glance from your car window or a cheesy attempt to impress a first date... I'm talking about a genuine study of the heavens. Chances are, you -- like every other internet-surfing, TiVo-addicted, gamerscore-driven entertainment enthusiast -- haven't laid out on a blanket and stared into space for a long, long time. Me? Before a disappointing outdoor music festival left me with little to do but turn my attention upward, I hadn't realized how long it had been since I took the time to simply bask in the wonders of the solar system. Soon enough, my impromptu summer star-gazing turned into one of my most relaxing decompressions of my adult life. I had lost sight of the vast unknown; forgotten how mesmerizing it could be. I had become so accustomed to burying my nose in LED screens and computer monitors that the most thrilling high definition experience in existence was escaping me. It's this same fascination that's driven particle physicist and University of Manchester professor Brian Cox to keep his eyes on the stars for forty years. The same fascination that makes Wonders of the Solar System, hyper-enthusiastic as its host may be, such an intriguing BBC series.
"Ride the celestial waves and crash on the shores of the universe..."
Wonders of the Solar System isn't a high-dollar documentary series, nor is it a striking, high definition showcase piece. But that doesn't mean space junkies should brush it aside. BBC Video's 1080i/AVC-encoded transfer is a solid one, and looks about as good as I expected. Cox's cameras and CG cutaways aren't exactly top shelf, but they are serviceable. Colors are fairly strong (albeit a tad washed out), skintones reflect the mood of the sun, black levels are decent (if not occasionally unreliable), and quality tends to take a hit whenever Cox visits dimly lit labs or gazes at the night sky. Detail is a bit inconsistent as well. Fine textures are of the 1080i television-presentation variety (in other words, somewhat soupy), edges are crisp and clean (despite some obvious ringing) and the clarity of the series' CG sequences tends to highlight the shortcomings of the live-action footage that follows. If all that sounds like an indictment of BBC's transfer, take comfort in the fact that the majority of these issues trace back to the source, not a lazy encode. So what ruffled my feathers then? Artifacting and banding, faint and fleeting as both may be, are frequent nuisances, intermittent noise is a slight distraction, aliasing pops up from time to time, and other oddities abound. Individually, the presentation's digital anomalies aren't cause for concern. Together though, they hold Wonders of the Solar System back from Planet Earth-like greatness.
Wonders of the Solar System features an above average DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1 surround track (not to be confused with a full-fledged DTS-HD Master Audio lossless mix) that handles what little comes its way. Cox's narration is hearty, intelligible and perfectly centered, and his on-site explanations and interview segments are just as commendable, overcoming a number of natural hurdles (wind, air hiss, background chatter and other environmental noise). Otherwise, there isn't much to get excited about. The LFE channel pipes up long enough to give solar flares, steam vents and colliding asteroids welcome oomph, and the rear speakers grab hold of a few distinct elements and exploit them for their immersive properties. Still, the whole of the mix is inevitably front-heavy and doesn't deliver an enveloping experience. Dynamics are bold, but directionality is limited; sound effects are convincing, but pans are in short supply. Again, nothing about the series' AV presentation should dissuade you from considering this release. Just don't expect to be blown away by the discs' transfer or DTS-HD HR track.
The 2-disc Blu-ray edition of Wonders of the Solar System includes two bonus documentaries as well. The first, "What On Earth Is Wrong With Gravity" (SD, 49 minutes), takes a look at the fascinating force that keeps us all grounded, and the second, "Do You Know What Time It Is?" (SD, 59 minutes), delves into the intricacies of time itself. Both are welcome additions to the release, and are comparable to the series' main episodes.
The solar system is a fascinating place. That much is certain. Whether or not you want to spend five hours listening to professor Brian Cox explain why it's a fascinating place is another matter altogether. Cox's hyper-enthusiastic delivery will appeal to some and alienate others, and your enjoyment of Wonders of the Solar System will depend on whether you find him to be a gracious host or a grating tour guide. Still, regardless of whether you love or loathe him, the series would have benefited from more episodes and a broader scope. BBC Video's Blu-ray release isn't perfect either, but its AV presentation should please anyone who isn't packing lofty expectations. My advice? Rent Wonders of the Solar System, sample the Coxian waters and see if his down to Earth overview of the heavens speaks to your sensibilities.
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