The Universe: The Complete Season One

This is a documentary about space in much the same way that "300" was a documentary about the Battle of Thermopylae. If you enjoyed the informative, intelligently-written "Planet Earth" series, then you are most likely going to be disappointed by this History Channel effort. There are, to be sure, some fantastic computer generated effects for the visual learners and short sound bytes from knowledgeable scientists to accompany the narration. The problem is that the narrative style is suited more to a commercials than a documentary. "Whoa!" says the narrator, "The sun is really big! It's like a nuclear bomb! In fact, it is a nuclear bomb!" and so on.

The series is overly sensational, loaded with repetition, and padded with important sounding music. Perhaps I'm being too critical, but compared to some of the other informative series available, this one misses the mark. The History Channel has all the technology, information, and money they need to make a first class documentary, and yet they choose not to. You can't help wonder why they feel the public needs everything so hyped up and dumbed down.

This has will probably have to be my favorite documentary (Alongside Planet Earth), well worth every dollar. It is breathtaking to watch such an amazing visual display right in your own home. This would probably have to be the most up to date and accurate documentary of it's kind shown/available. Anyone who loves space and astronomy should definitely give this a try. Season 2 should be available to purchase mid July according to History.com and from some of the episodes I have seen it looks like it will be even better than the previous season.

I cant get enough of this video. Its got everything you could ask for on astronomy. It would be a great teachers tool on the subject. Im going to give the set to my Family