Review: The Discovery Channel's Planet Earth Series

Created by executive producer Alastair Fothergill in 2006, the series Planet Earth is a follow-up to the series Blue Planet, which focused on studying the natural world. While there are only eleven episodes, each hour-long production is extremely extensive and detailed in presenting the various regions of Earth. Described by its makers as a "definitive look at the diversity of our planet," the Emmy-Award winning and BAFTA-Award nominated series Planet Earth became popular within weeks. Narrated by Sigourney Weaver, the series presents powerful imagery that leaves no piece of land on Earth out of the camera's eye. Planet Earth is easily one of the most entertaining series that The Discovery Channel has to offer, along with MythBusters and Dirty Jobs. Watching the show is not only intriguing, but it is truly moving when you discover how diverse our planet really is.

What can I expect from Planet Earth?

As with most of The Discovery Channel's shows, you can expect stunning camera work, persuasive narration, and beautiful presentations of our planet. The true side of the world we don't normally get to see is displayed right in front of our eyes. Aerial perspectives, close ups, and long-distance shots cover every inch of our planet. In the episode, "Mountains," aerial photography illustrates Ethiopia's Erta Ale, the world's longest continually erupting volcano. In "Caves," Planet Earth heads into "earth's final frontier," a region relatively less prominent than other regions of the world. They travel into Mexico's Cave of Swallows, a cave 400 meters deep, and a 1986-discovered Lechuguilla Cave in New Mexico.

Would I like this show?

Planet Earth is a powerful series that can amaze its viewers within its first few minutes. Unlike shows you'll find on MTV or Nickelodeon, this series isn't targeting children or adults, or anyone at all specifically. It is simply devoted to capturing the most beautiful scenes on Earth and putting it on television. Whether you're a person who likes to watch violent action, calm scenery, or sights of foreign regions, you'll find it all on "Planet Earth." While meticulously mapping out the geography of the earth with its aerial and close-up views, it also covers the habitats of animals living in those regions. You'll see the interaction between predator and prey, dominant plant species versus weaker ones, and the toll weather takes on the region's inhabitants. For these reasons, Planet Earth is an ideal view for practically all audiences and is highly deserving of all the praise it has received.

Where can I see Planet Earth?

While episodes are still shown on The Discovery Channel, you can buy the series for yourself at The Discovery Channel shopping website. The 5-disk box set can be purchased for as low as $49.95, and for only an additional $10, in Blue-ray format. Although you may want to preview the series before you buy the whole set, I doubt that anyone would regret their purchase. Planet Earth is a captivating series that will keep you glued to your television for hours at a time.

Sources:
Planet Earth. Wikipedia.
Planet Earth. The Discovery Channel.