Life

The enthralling 10-part BBC series Life examines “the lengths living beings go to stay alive,” in the words of Sir David Attenborough (Oprah Winfrey narrates the simultaneously released version that aired on Discovery Channel). Aided by high-definition cinematography, this latest opus from the makers of Planet Earth explores the more colorful strategies that the world's creatures employ to procreate, evade predators, and obtain nourishment. Cameras travel though air, under water, and right into the faces of insects (such as the alien visage of the stalk-eyed fly). Among the more memorable images here are three cheetahs moving with the relentless rhythm of mobsters, a school of flying fish gliding through the air like ballerinas, and a Jesus Christ lizard skipping across the water like, well, you know who. Stranger sights include a pebble toad bouncing away from a spider and capuchin monkeys pounding palm nuts with stones like the apes in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Of course, this being a look at nature red in tooth and claw, some sequences are disturbing, such as when komodo dragons feed on a water buffalo or a seal dines on a penguin (Attenborough acknowledges that the komodo scene caused the camera crew “emotional turmoil”). A beautiful-looking series (especially on Blu-ray) boasting witty writing and skillful editing, Life is one of 2010's landmark documentary series. DVD/Blu-ray extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes on the four-year production. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (K. Fennessy)