Summary
An excellent series, easy and enjoyable to watch. There is always so much to learn about the amazing creatures we share this planet with.
The latest National Geographic documentary series is finally here. Super/Natural is executive-produced by Academy Award winner James Cameron (Avatar, Titanic) and narrated by Academy Award-nominated and BAFTA Award-winning actor Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Sherlock Holmes) this series utilizes the latest scientific innovations and leading-edge film-making technology to reveal the secret powers of the world’s most extraordinary animals.
Through this first season, there are six episodes which are roughly between forty and fifty minutes long, enough to either binge-watch in one night or spend a week dedicating time to it.
Wildlife and documentary lovers can expect great things from this; the cinematography and locations alone are jaw-dropping. There are already so many wildlife documentary series out there. Is this one any different or unique? Not really.
We’re given slightly different content in the analysis and the creatures we’re seeing, but like similar documentaries, we have amazing footage, a well-known narrator, educational value in terms of script and purpose, and the dramatic build-up in the survival techniques.
That doesn’t mean this isn’t any less deserving – if you’re a fan of nature, wildlife, and our planet, this series is one to add to your list.
With Cumberbatch’s soothing, yet serious voice, he helps intensify the drama and danger the creatures go through, as well as making light of the good. His voice guides audiences, and the scripts are clear and concise, pinpointing the information we need to understand what is happening visually.
The filming is quite extraordinary when you take a moment to reflect on what you’re physically seeing. There are intense close-ups so you can see the tiny hairs on bees, the pheromones animals eject, birds in flight, and tiny droplets of water, things you couldn’t see without this technology.
The episodes begin with smaller woodland creatures, such as squirrels, small birds, bugs, and hawks, teaching us about how these wonderful little creatures communicate with one another and form small friendships or alliances, joining forces to survive against extreme odds.
I love owls, I could watch documentaries on them alone, so I was happy to learn more about those kooky carnivores. Watching them imitate rattlesnakes to scare off predators is incredible.
Also, very happy to see baby cheetahs (any type of cat), but I am a softie, and I always get worried for the animals and don’t want them to get hurt. Watching the baby elephants struggle to get to the water hurt my heart.
Each episode has a good mixture of content, and they take us to different parts of the world, from vast lands to enclosed forests, and every minute is colorful and captivating.
In awe, all I can say is that this documentary series is something special, offering a deeper understanding of our planet and its incredible creatures.
There are very magical moments, such as watching a Mexican wave of fireflies, and there are heart-racing, sadder moments.
There is so much to explore in our world, and relationships to understand. I can imagine we’ll have many more similar documentary series brought to our streaming services soon.
