'Patagonia: Earth's Secret Paradise' "Heat and Dust" (2015)
Opening thoughts: 2015's 'Patagonia: Earth's Secret Paradise' immediately appealed to me prior to watching. Absolutely love nature documentaries (have done ever since seeing David Attenborough's groundbreaking work for the first time when they first aired) and it is always wonderful seeing the absolutely wondrous Patagonia, which has always been explored beautifully, which has always fascinated and visually captivated. Not to mention its beautifully varied wildlife, familiar and not so familiar.
'Patagonia: Earth's Secret Paradise' is a wonderful, if somewhat too short, documentary, and "Heat and Dust" is a truly fine second episode to it. It may not have the same amount of tension and emotional impact of other episodes of other documentaries, but both are still here in "Heat and Dust". Along with impeccable production values and memorable scenes and inhabitants. Great to see a documentary that focused specifically on Patagonia, its landscapes, its inhabitants and the adversity faced when it can usually be seen as part of an episode of a 3 plus part documentary series.
Bad things: My only issues are the length, as it does feel too short like many of the recently seen documentaries, and the human scenes, which were not hugely illuminating or unique. With a lot of content, this could very comfortably have been 10 minutes more perhaps which would have given the viewer more time to take in the information and also learn more.
Otherwise, this is fabulous. It looks absolutely great for one thing, with both beautiful, varied and unforgiving scenery and especially the photography that leaves one in awe at its best. Especially in the wind travelling east and penguins sequences. There is though more to it than cute animals and plants in beautiful environments, one is reminded without being preached at that there are daily challenges. Like the dangers of the winds.
Expectedly there is some messaging, but it is as relevant today as it was back then, so it is hardly outdated. It also makes its point quite powerfully and thoughtfully, was very worried about it being preachy but there are documentaries that are a million times worse at that. The music, with an accessible style, is relaxing in some parts while having some edge in other parts.
The inhabitants are a great mix of adorable, formidable and exotic and their behaviors and ways to survive are relatable, surprising and inspiring. The penguins were an absolute treat, speaking as a lifelong lover of penguins, and the maras and guanacos were unfamiliar to me and incredible to watch, the first faltering steps of the guanacos was an adorable sequence and one of my favourite scenes from the series.
When it comes to the information, it is very educational and the narration entertains and informs without preachiness or being gimmicky, any familiar content is approached freshly, and in a way that will captivate and never disturb kids while not being cookie cutter. Maybe it have been delved into more. The narration delivery is very gentle and authoritative with no sugar or melodrama.
Closing thoughts: Overall, really well done.
8/10.
Opening thoughts: 2015's 'Patagonia: Earth's Secret Paradise' immediately appealed to me prior to watching. Absolutely love nature documentaries (have done ever since seeing David Attenborough's groundbreaking work for the first time when they first aired) and it is always wonderful seeing the absolutely wondrous Patagonia, which has always been explored beautifully, which has always fascinated and visually captivated. Not to mention its beautifully varied wildlife, familiar and not so familiar.
'Patagonia: Earth's Secret Paradise' is a wonderful, if somewhat too short, documentary, and "Heat and Dust" is a truly fine second episode to it. It may not have the same amount of tension and emotional impact of other episodes of other documentaries, but both are still here in "Heat and Dust". Along with impeccable production values and memorable scenes and inhabitants. Great to see a documentary that focused specifically on Patagonia, its landscapes, its inhabitants and the adversity faced when it can usually be seen as part of an episode of a 3 plus part documentary series.
Bad things: My only issues are the length, as it does feel too short like many of the recently seen documentaries, and the human scenes, which were not hugely illuminating or unique. With a lot of content, this could very comfortably have been 10 minutes more perhaps which would have given the viewer more time to take in the information and also learn more.
Otherwise, this is fabulous. It looks absolutely great for one thing, with both beautiful, varied and unforgiving scenery and especially the photography that leaves one in awe at its best. Especially in the wind travelling east and penguins sequences. There is though more to it than cute animals and plants in beautiful environments, one is reminded without being preached at that there are daily challenges. Like the dangers of the winds.
Expectedly there is some messaging, but it is as relevant today as it was back then, so it is hardly outdated. It also makes its point quite powerfully and thoughtfully, was very worried about it being preachy but there are documentaries that are a million times worse at that. The music, with an accessible style, is relaxing in some parts while having some edge in other parts.
The inhabitants are a great mix of adorable, formidable and exotic and their behaviors and ways to survive are relatable, surprising and inspiring. The penguins were an absolute treat, speaking as a lifelong lover of penguins, and the maras and guanacos were unfamiliar to me and incredible to watch, the first faltering steps of the guanacos was an adorable sequence and one of my favourite scenes from the series.
When it comes to the information, it is very educational and the narration entertains and informs without preachiness or being gimmicky, any familiar content is approached freshly, and in a way that will captivate and never disturb kids while not being cookie cutter. Maybe it have been delved into more. The narration delivery is very gentle and authoritative with no sugar or melodrama.
Closing thoughts: Overall, really well done.
8/10.