User Reviews

The vast Pacific, with over 25,000 islands according to narrator Mike Rowe, has more than enough amazing sights to entertain us with another great HD nature series. This episode focuses on some strange creatures who have changed and adapted according to their climates and terrains.

In New Guinea, we see the Dingiso, which is a tree kangaroo In New Caldedonia, we witness birds, big and small, who don't fly. Without predators, they haven't needed to so apparently they've forgotten how to fly. They just bounce along on the ground! I think they were called Kagoos (spelling?).

Anyway, New Caledonia is just beautiful, as are the Solomon Islands, the next place visited on this show. There, we see "skinks."

Later, the show visits New Zealand and Hawaii, where you see fantastic scenery and some unique birds and animals (i.e., the world's fattest owl.) The final stop is the famous Easter Island, "the most remote Pacific Island" of them all and home to those amazing huge stone statues. The story of Easter Island is given here, but a new theory on what might have been the inhabitants demise. I won't say what it is;just watch the show, which is pretty interesting.

Unlike the other nature shows (Planet Earth,Wild Russia and now "Life,"), this one also shows some humans. In this case, we see primitive tribes doing a form of bungee jumping but with a purpose in mind other than thrills. It's kinda strange, but that's why it is featured on this TV show, titled "Wild Pacific" here in the States.

'South Pacific' is a hugely informative and exceptionally well-made series. Inevitable, though some may argue unfair, comparisons may be (have been in fact) made to the output of David Attenborough, to me 'South Pacific' is one of the better documentary series in recent years to not have Attenborough's name on it and stands wonderfully on its own, if just lacking the special magic of Attenborough's best work.

There are so many great things in 'South Pacific'. Its premise is dealt with exceptionally in every single episode, the environments, how they're lived in, how the humans adapt to the environments, there are some very interesting topics and important ones handled truly admirably. Also in a way that is illuminating but not preachy (which is a potential danger with anything environmental-themed and a danger often fallen into).

After four wonderful previous episodes, "Strange Islands" had a lot to live up to. A hard feat that it accomplished extremely well.

Sure, there could have been a touch more clarity in parts, but there is very little to dislike here.

Particularly loved the parts in New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, New Zealand and Hawaii, where the animals are especially wonderfully strange and the scenery especially fantastic.

When it comes to how it's written, "Strange Islands" does just as good a job entertaining and teaching, it's all very sincerely done and it never feels like a sermon. There are things here that are common sense and knowledge but one is taught a huge deal as well.

Benedict Cumberbatch's narration delivery is similarly on the money, very sensitively delivered, engaging and sonorous.

Visually, "Strange Islands" may lack the awe-inspiring, almost cinematic quality of the David Attenborough documentaries. With that being said, it is gorgeously shot, shot in a fluid, graceful and never static way, and is chock-full of strikingly memorable images. In every episode, the scenery and environments are like characters of their own, they're all incredible to look at and have a lot of atmosphere.

Once again, "Strange Islands" is appropriately scored, never intrusive or too low-key, and the different stories are powerful in a harrowing and poignant way, not to mention very honest and visually striking.

In summary, beautifully made, educational and emotional, basically a winner. 9/10 Bethany Cox