Life on Our Planet

release year: 2023
genre: documentary (8 episodes)
viewing setting: home streaming 2/17-19/24

synopsis: This is a (mostly, I assume) CGI and narrative journey through the complete history of life on Earth, from algae to humans.

impressions: The first episode was kind of an overview, and then the rest started at the beginning and moved through plankton, amphibians, dinosaurs, mammals, etc. There were occasional "trials of life" moments where some unfortunate prey would encounter a predator; these were some of the narrator-humor examples I mention below. The video element here was great - well-done and realistic. I felt like I was back there in those prehistoric settings with those creatures. Of note, episode 6 depicts the meteor impact that wiped out the dinosaurs, and episode 8 depicts the advent of human beings.

acting: n/a, but Morgan Freeman provides a solid (and often humorous) narrative voice.

final word: Good, solid, fun science/nature show.

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