Gorgeous underwater photography is the primary draw for this five-part PBS-aired nature documentary miniseries, filmed in some 20 countries, and narrated by Daniel Dae Kim. But Big Pacific—made by Natural History New Zealand—also offers a wealth of information on various species found in and around the Pacific, which encompasses fully a third of the planet and is surrounded by a “ring of fire” of volcanic activity. The opening episode “Mysterious” concentrates on Pacific mysteries, beginning with the annual migration of sea turtles to the beaches of Costa Rica to lay their eggs and continuing with other forms of sea life, some newly-discovered, such as the puffer fish that makes sand circles on the ocean floor. “Violent” centers on the struggle for survival in the ocean, and the relevant dangers posed both by and to humans. “Voracious” looks at how species satisfy their need for sustenance, and “Passionate” explores how they reproduce (the female octopus usually kills the male with whom she mates, and a species of seahorse actually changes gender for procreative purposes). Throughout, the human crew are occasionally glimpsed, but they take center stage in the final episode, which is essentially an extended “making-of” featurette. Filled with fascinating facts and breathtaking visuals, this is exemplary nature documentary filmmaking. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (F. Swietek)
Big Pacific
(2017) 2 discs. 265 min. DVD: $29.99 ($59.99 w/PPR), Blu-ray: $34.99 ($59.99 w/PPR). PBS Video. ISBN: 978-1-5317-0204-5 (dvd), 978-1-5317-0223-6 (blu-ray). Volume 33, Issue 1
Big Pacific
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