Great Barrier Reef

Over the course of three hour-long episodes, Great Barrier Reef examines the history, biodiversity, and worrisome future of the more than 1,200-mile-long reef that is recognized as one of the seven great wonders of the natural world (and is now, through World Heritage status, largely guarded from the negative impacts of fishing and tourism). Hosted by British TV broadcaster and marine biologist Monty Halls, filmmakers James Brickell and Richard Fitzpatrick's BBC-aired miniseries presents a feast of high-def footage as it explores the planet's largest structure that is composed of living organisms (coral polyps), home to thousands of species that swim, float, walk, or remain fixed in place in this incredible domain. Part 1, “Nature's Miracle,” covers the natural history of the reef; portions of Part 2, “Reef to Rainforest,” move out of the water and onto many of the area's islands and cays; and Part 3, “Reef and Beyond,” offers a balanced but cautionary assessment of the future. Rather than serve up gloom-and-doom statistics, the series puts Halls (who frequently narrates while diving) in the middle of the action, but while it's fun to watch him interacting with curious critters, his commentary is rather bland. Far more interesting are the amusing use of the “turtle cam,” the shallow-water “walking” of epaulette sharks, and the parrot fish's ingenious construction of a gel sac to protect itself while “sleeping” in a trancelike state. Recommended, primarily for its visual splendor. Aud: P. (J. Shannon)