While 2021's 'Life in Colour' is not one of the best or most ground-breaking works of master David Attenborough (incomporable in the nature documentary field)'s consistenty high quality filmography, it is still excellent and it is a shame that it didn't last longer. A long way from being a waste of a great subject matter, that was quite different as far as his filmography goes, and actually manages to do something fresh with material that risks being old hat.
'Life in Colour's' first episode "Seeing in Colour" is a wonderful way to start. If anybody has seen or is familiar with any of Attenborough's previous work and knows what to expect, "Seeing in Colour" delivers with full impact and doesn't disappoint. Anybody who watches Attenborough's work expecting high production values, wonderful animals and footage, to be educated and memorable scenes will not be disappointed, all of those are here in "Seeing in Colour".
"Seeing in Colour's" only issue for me was the information regarding the polarised light, it does intrigue but could have been explained in a simpler and more accessible way. Anybody not familiar with the evidence presented or the subject may find themselves lost, that was the case with me.
Everything else though is wonderful. It is extremely well made visually, as to be expected with anything Attenborough-related. The strawberry coloured frogs bit in particular is dazzlingly shot and red noses and green breasts have seldom been more vivid looking. The music has a nice atmosphere and is nicely varied in emotion, the mating dance's scoring was quite charming and playful.
With one exception, the narration is easy to understand while never being simplistic and is always educational and well backed up. Particularly illuminating was the skill used to check whether a fruit was ripe or not. Even familiar material, in this case the mating dance, feels fresh and not tired and there is a maturity that doesn't get too dark. Attenborough delivers with sincerity and sonority, in that wonderful listen to for hours voice he has.
The animals are of amazing variety, are beautifully photographed and are rich in colour and personality. It is always great seeing peacocks and toucans, but the strawberry coloured frogs steal the show.
Overall, wonderful. 9/10.
'Life in Colour's' first episode "Seeing in Colour" is a wonderful way to start. If anybody has seen or is familiar with any of Attenborough's previous work and knows what to expect, "Seeing in Colour" delivers with full impact and doesn't disappoint. Anybody who watches Attenborough's work expecting high production values, wonderful animals and footage, to be educated and memorable scenes will not be disappointed, all of those are here in "Seeing in Colour".
"Seeing in Colour's" only issue for me was the information regarding the polarised light, it does intrigue but could have been explained in a simpler and more accessible way. Anybody not familiar with the evidence presented or the subject may find themselves lost, that was the case with me.
Everything else though is wonderful. It is extremely well made visually, as to be expected with anything Attenborough-related. The strawberry coloured frogs bit in particular is dazzlingly shot and red noses and green breasts have seldom been more vivid looking. The music has a nice atmosphere and is nicely varied in emotion, the mating dance's scoring was quite charming and playful.
With one exception, the narration is easy to understand while never being simplistic and is always educational and well backed up. Particularly illuminating was the skill used to check whether a fruit was ripe or not. Even familiar material, in this case the mating dance, feels fresh and not tired and there is a maturity that doesn't get too dark. Attenborough delivers with sincerity and sonority, in that wonderful listen to for hours voice he has.
The animals are of amazing variety, are beautifully photographed and are rich in colour and personality. It is always great seeing peacocks and toucans, but the strawberry coloured frogs steal the show.
Overall, wonderful. 9/10.
