Am a big fan of nature documentaries, especially the work of David Attenborough. Having been recommended 'Wild South America', through Amazon and the recommended for you section here, but with variable knowledge of the wildlife, it was instantly put down on my list as a must see. Also heard nothing but praise for it from those who saw it, so that further sparked interest.
'Wild South America' is as good as others have said and there is not much to add, it is nearly one of the best documentaries personally seen and most of the time it actually feels much more than a documentary. Throughout it's an awe-inspiring, intimate and transfixing experience where one forgets they're watching a documentary and instead feeling like they're watching something so much more, like pieces of art on screen. This may sound like extreme hyperbole, but to me 'Wild South America' is completely deserving of its praise and even deserving of more, more exposure wouldn't go amiss either.
Yet another fabulous episode. For me "Amazon Jungle" is the most diverse episode, focusing on humans and plants as well as wildlife, and the one that educated me the most, being the episode that had the most material that wasn't prior knowledge to me.
As has been said for a lot of documentary series reviewing recently, it is hard to think where to start with praising it when there is so much to say. "Amazon Jungle" for starters looks incredible, have always wanted to go to South America and the series made me want to go even more. It is gorgeously filmed, done in a completely fluid and natural, sometimes intimate (a great way of connecting even more with the animals), way and never looking static. There are some clever filming techniques, not just the aerial shots that give an expansive view of the landscapes but also the filming of predators in action. In fact much of it is remarkably cinematic.
The scenery and habitats are some of the most breath-taking personally seen anywhere, whether in visual media and real life. The rich colours just leap out and the habitats literally become characters of their own, not only that one learns a lot about the habitats as much as the wildlife itself. The music here is a remarkably good fit, throughout it not only complements the visuals but enhances them and there is an authentic flavour to it.
Can't fault "Amazon Jungle" when it comes to the narration and information either. The narration has a great well-balanced mix of facts that will be familiar to the viewer (like with the Huaorani tribe perhaps) and others that will induce the right amount of surprise (most of the episode actually). In short, it's just fascinating, informative and thoughtful and the intimate approach worked wonders. Watched the episode with a smile on my face, a few tears and feeling inspired, even the humour touches were great.
In "Amazon Jungle", one gets a lot out of it and there is a freshness to the material, even if the information is not always new. A lot is covered but detailed and researched very thoughtfully and it doesn't feel too much. The narration is delivered beautifully, there's an enthusiasm and precision about the delivery, as well as an intimacy, and it never feels preachy. It was very clear that Fergal Keane was thoroughly engaged with his material and in awe of it which gives a refreshing excitement to his delivery.
The wildlife themselves are quite unique and a wonderful mix of the adorable (the paradise tanager) and the dangerous (army ants), as well as the well known (macaws) and the rarely seen or unfamiliar (the tamarins), and one actually finds they're rooting for them in exactly the same way they would a human character. The plants are a feast for the eyes and the different varieties fascinate. "Amazon Jungle" has much suspense and emotional impact, as it makes one feel inspired and uplifted. There are some scenes where one is amazed that they managed to be filmed in the first place. The macaws and everything concerning birds especially.
"Amazon Jungle" feels like more than just one episode of a series and it doesn't feel episodic or repetitive. As said for me it is the episode with the most variety. It has real, complex emotions and conflicts and animal characters, and the plants too, developed like they were human in a way that put a lot of films and visual media to shame.
In summation, of a consistently wonderful series "Amazon Jungle" doesn't disappoint. 10/10 Bethany Cox
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