Life Blu-ray Review

The Blu Ray presentation of "Life" delivers an at-times breathtaking, altogether stunning 1080p/VC-1 transfer. The visuals boast lush and vivid colors, and the level of detail is exceptional, often putting other nature documentaries to shame. Like its predecessor ‘Planet Earth’, this series provides consistently stunning imagery. From the glorious golden plumage of the Lammergeier to the changing skin tones of a Cuttlefish, every hue—be it greens, reds, blues, yellows, or browns—is rendered with remarkable richness and accuracy. The details are overwhelming; you can see every tiny strand of animal hair, protruding filament, and bristling feather with pristine clarity. The slow-motion sequences are enhanced by the high resolution, making every speck of dirt on rainforest leaves or stray plankton in Pacific currents discernible.

However, the transfer does come with minor caveats. While black levels are generally deep and whites well-balanced, there are moments where they seem a tad flat, likely due to varying filming conditions. Vertical lines are more visible in slow-motion shots, and intermittent softness in extreme weather conditions points to the Natural History Unit's equipment limitations. Additionally, a single episode, "Plants," is presented in 1080i instead of 1080p, but this discrepancy is minor in the grand scheme. Banding and artifacting issues from the Discovery Channel release have been mostly eliminated, further solidifying this presentation as superior.

Contrast remains lovely and stable throughout most of the series. The performance during complex scenes—like a diver entering dark Antarctic waters with overblown white light from an ice hole—achieves remarkable fidelity despite challenging shooting environments. Digital anomalies are essentially absent, leaving viewers with a nearly flawless visual experience. Overall, this Blu Ray presentation is highly recommended for videophiles, nature lovers, and casual viewers alike who will undoubtedly be captivated by its stunning depiction of the natural world.

The audio presentation of the "Life" Blu-ray showcases a generally robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack that meticulously engages listeners in the rich, natural soundscape of the series. David Attenborough’s narration is both clear and commanding, ensuring a balanced auditory experience without overshadowing the authentic environmental sounds. The track provides immersive effects such as the resonant rumble of rushing water, the powerful roars of animals, and the nuanced ambient noises that envelope the documentary’s intricate visuals, effectively situating viewers within the action. While some added sound effects, like those accompanying the Elephant Shrew or Venus Flytrap, could be perceived as unnecessary and detracting, their infrequency ensures they do not significantly mar the overall experience.

However, critiques arise regarding the balance between the front and rear speaker usage, with the audio presentation primarily favoring a front-heavy delivery. This limitation occasionally results in underwhelming surround sound effects; for instance, scenes depicting large groups of animals could benefit from a more dynamic use of rear channels to better encapsulate the richness of the depicted environments. Audiophiles may find the subwoofer engagement less than optimal and desire a fuller, more enveloping low-frequency experience. Despite these reservations, the majority will find the overall track to be clear, intelligible, and satisfactory, blending the musical compositions by George Fenton and Richard Fiocca elegantly within the front channels and, when apt, across the additional speakers to enrich the viewing experience.

Ultimately, while not the most groundbreaking surround sound experience available, "Life’s" audio presentation delivers a polished and refined sonic accompaniment that will satisfy most viewers. Its noteworthy elements, such as Attenborough’s gentle yet firm narration and the realistic ambient sounds, effectively transport audiences into the complex realms explored in this remarkable series.

The Blu-ray release of "Life" offers a robust selection of extras that provide in-depth insights and behind-the-scenes looks, complementing the main content. The standout features are the "Life on Location" mini-documentaries, which collectively run for 109 minutes and are integrated directly with the episodes, providing a seamless viewing experience. These featurettes are highly informative, introducing the dedicated team of Natural History Unit photographers and scientists who crafted the series. They address the various challenges faced during production and detail how each was overcome. Unlike the U.S. version, this release does not include "The Making of 'Life'" special or any deleted scenes, which may be a drawback for some. However, the inclusion of basic calibration tools is a useful addition for casual videophiles, ensuring an optimized viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Life on Location: Insightful featurettes revealing production challenges and solutions.
• Calibration Tools: Basic tools for optimizing visual settings.

"Life," the ten-episode documentary series by the BBC Natural History Unit, reaffirms their unparalleled excellence in wildlife filmmaking. Spanning diverse habitats and showcasing a plethora of species, "Life" provides viewers with awe-inspiring visuals and compelling narratives. The series truly excels with its intricate and detailed coverage of animal behaviors and survival tactics, highlighted by standout sequences such as capuchin monkeys using tools, komodo dragons' brutal hunts, and the exceptional teamwork of bottlenose dolphins. Filmed over several years, the series captures rare moments that bring the wonders of the natural world into stark relief, making it a visual feast for any nature enthusiast.

An exceptional aspect of this Blu-ray release is David Attenborough's narration, which elevates the material with his seasoned storytelling. His deep understanding and genuine marvel at the natural world enrich each episode. In contrast to Oprah Winfrey’s more animated and sometimes distracting commentary in the Discovery Channel edition, Attenborough's calm and reverent delivery allows the footage to take center stage, letting viewers immerse themselves fully in the spectacles of nature. While the American narration attempts to make the series more accessible to U.S. audiences, many find Attenborough's voice synonymous with natural history mastery, making his version the preferred choice.

From "Challenges of Life" to "Primates," each episode combines groundbreaking footage with stunning high-definition clarity. Particularly memorable are sequences involving meticulously crafted time-lapses of plant growth and the remarkable biological strategies of various insects. The series also includes behind-the-scenes "On Location" segments that provide fascinating insights into the logistical feats of wildlife filmmaking. Despite some minor issues like occasional reused footage and questionable sound effect choices, "Life" remains a monumental achievement, offering both educational value and visual splendor in equal measure.

The Blu-ray release of "Life" presents a captivating visual and auditory experience that nature enthusiasts and documentary fans will relish. The U.K. version, narrated by David Attenborough, is generally preferred over its U.S. counterpart featuring Oprah Winfrey. While Winfrey's narration has merit, Attenborough's expertise and command of natural history storytelling provide a more enriching viewing experience. This preference is further bolstered by the U.K. edition offering a superior 1080p video transfer compared to the 1080i format of the U.S. version, resulting in sharper and more vibrant visuals that enhance the already impressive cinematography.

The video quality of the Blu-ray is outstanding, with viewers consistently praising the breathtaking photography and innovative time-lapse sequences captured by the "Life" team. The clarity and precision of the images draw viewers deeper into the natural world's marvels, making each episode a visual feast. The audio quality complements the visual excellence, ensuring that Attenborough's narration is clear and immersive, adding to the overall experience of witnessing the intricacies of nature brought to life on screen.

In conclusion, the response has been overwhelmingly in favor of the original BBC version of "Life," with viewers appreciating Attenborough's seasoned narration and the 1080p video quality that enhances the series' stunning imagery. Although the Discovery Channel's 1080i presentation remains commendable, the BBC edition offers significant improvements that elevate the overall package. Given that the audio tracks and additional content are largely similar between the versions, fans would be well-advised to choose the BBC edition for an optimal viewing experience.