Planet Dinosaur (Blu-ray 3D) [2012]

I pre-ordered this as soon as I saw it was on the Amazon books (12-4-2012) as we have a 3D system & our son loves dinosaurs - and we all loved the Planet Dinosaur broadcasts, and had already bought the series on ONE standard Blu-Ray disc (with a second disc with a bonus feature in standard definition).
So, after waiting more than 4 months for this 3D version, we were keen to see it when it arrived the other day.
It IS good from the 3D viewpoint.
BUT
This isn't a 3D version of the series.
The original series had 6 episodes, total 174 minutes, ie 29 mins each
(Lost World,Feathered Dragons,Last Killers,Fight For Life,New Giants & The Great Survivors)
This 3D disc has ONE 53 min feature, "Ultimate Killers", which, on one viewing, seems to be an amalgam of series bits/narration, albeit in 3D.

Both Blu-Ray discs packages are called "Planet Dinosaur", this one has the addition of "3D" (OK, a different background picture) - so when I ordered this I was expecting it would be the same 6 episodes with the same soundtrack and video footage replaced with 3D-rendered output from original CGI computer runs.

I'll forgive not getting the original "How To Build A Dinosaur" 59 min extra feature not being here, but I got less than a third of the Planet Dinosaur footage (what I thought I was paying for) - which is LESS than the bonus feature on the standard 2D Blu-Ray.

I feel cheated, especially as BOTH version are summed up as follows :
"Presenting a brand-new global perspective on the prehistoric era, the series recreates the creatures, their habitats and how they lived, from analysing their bones to watching them fight to the death."

Note that they both say "the series". For the 3D edition, that is a LIE.

I'm toying with sending this back, as I wouldn't be surprised if, later, there will appear another version - "Full original series in 3D" - which I what I thought I'd pre-ordered!

Having enjoyed watching the Planet Dinosaur series on BBC HD, and just upgrading to a 51" 3D plasma, I pre-ordered this as soon as I saw it.

This is a specially made 3D companion to the series (which I will now be getting too) that takes you on a journey through time explaining, in a very smart and in no way condecending way, the rise and ultimate fall of the dinosaurs.. specifically the agressive killing machines, some of which, make T Rex look like a pup in comparison.

The graphics are great and sit very nicely in the forward frame and give you great info on size and era etc. John Hurt's narrative is very easy on the ear and never gets boring. The CG landscapes are just beautiful and give great depth.
But to be honest, it's all about the dinosaurs really isnt it. And they do not disappoint. From the open and the introduction of our first dinosaur, my jaw dropped. Rendering is absolutely stunning. And the pop is just brilliant giving you the impression they are just through a window and are sticking their head through it.. so much so it makes you want to reach out and pet them.. probably not recomended though lol.

Overall a great hour long doc that really shows off your 3D TV at a great price.. So if you love this kind of documentary, want something stunning to show off your 3D tv with, or are just simply a dinosaur fan, then this is for you.

... well done the BBC.

I am a huge fan of 3D films and documentaries and have only a few at the moment, with also a passion and a very huge interest in Dinosaurs, I had a lot of expectations for this film, and I was indeed very impressed, even though I have not watched the original Planet Dinosaur series.

The information given in this documentary is easily explained and the way it has been presented with CGI was brilliant and after watching it I have learnt quite a lot about prehistoric life. John Hurt makes an excellent narrator especially for something like this documentary. So overall I recommend this film for anybody who has an interest in Dinosaurs.

The 3D side of this documentary was outstanding and breathtaking. Being a huge fan of 3D this film ticked all the right boxes for me. The depth is perfect and seeing those creatures come out at you in 3D was fantastic, not just things coming out but beautiful CGI landscapes was perfectly set in the back of the screen, watching this in the dark felt like I was there.

Overall, very pleased with what the BBC have accomplished and I do hope in the near future they produce more like this.

Just to let you know this is not the series of Planet Dinosaur, this is just a 50-55 minute spin-off.