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Wonders of the Solar System Review
The latest example of just how much a terrific documentary series can benefit from the Blu-ray format, Wonders Of The Solar System is a fascinating six-part series that simply looks stunning in high definition.
The latest example of just how much a terrific documentary series can benefit from the Blu-ray format, Wonders Of The Solar System is a fascinating six-part series that simply looks stunning in high definition.
Presented by Professor Brian Cox, the series takes time to investigate the solar system around us, and the many natural beauties contained within it. Across the episodes, Cox covers the likes of planets themselves, the rings of Saturn, the question of whether we’re alone in the universe, and the sun itself.
What lifts Wonders Of The Solar System above the many shows that have tackled the subject before, however, are two factors. Firstly, it’s Cox himself, an enthused and interesting host, who explains things well and really helps make accessible the material. Secondly, it’s the utterly stunning visuals. The BBC has mixed in CGI along with images sent directly from space to quite breathtaking effect.
And this, inevitably, is where the Blu-ray kicks in. Wonders Of The Solar System simply looks wonderful in high definition, with the visuals coming across terrifically well. On DVD, this all looked very impressive. Here, it’s simply brilliant, and the end result is a series that can sit alongside Planet Earth as an example of just what Blu-ray can do for material of this quality and ilk. --Jon Foster
DVD Description
Wonders of the Solar System
With incredible images and CGI footage this spellbinding series explains how the laws of physics carved natural wonders across the solar system. Witness giant ice fountains rising over 100km high; an ocean hidden beneath a crust of ice; blood red storms twice the size of our planet and immense volcanoes that could rip a planet apart.
Wonders of the Universe
Who are we? Why are we here? Where do we come from? These are among the most enduring and profound questions we can ask and it is an essential part of human nature to want to find the answers. Our journey began 13.7 billion years ago with the beginning of our universe and in this series Prof. Brian Cox tells the epic story of our universe and shows how its story is also our story.
This special edition release features exclusive audio commentaries and includes a bonus disc featuring nearly 3 hours of material brand new to DVD, including hilarious out-takes, the Horizon films What On Earth is Wrong with Gravity? Do You Know What Time It Is? and Can We Make a Star on Earth?
Extras
• Audio Commentaries
• What on Earth is Wrong with Gravity?
• Can We Make a Star on Earth?
• Do You Know What Time It Is?
• Blunders of the Universe
“Fantastic television, the BBC at its best.” Sunday Express
“A sense of wonder underscores every Cox sentence and it’s utterly contagious.” The Guardian
With incredible images and CGI footage this spellbinding series explains how the laws of physics carved natural wonders across the solar system. Witness giant ice fountains rising over 100km high; an ocean hidden beneath a crust of ice; blood red storms twice the size of our planet and immense volcanoes that could rip a planet apart.
Wonders of the Universe
Who are we? Why are we here? Where do we come from? These are among the most enduring and profound questions we can ask and it is an essential part of human nature to want to find the answers. Our journey began 13.7 billion years ago with the beginning of our universe and in this series Prof. Brian Cox tells the epic story of our universe and shows how its story is also our story.
This special edition release features exclusive audio commentaries and includes a bonus disc featuring nearly 3 hours of material brand new to DVD, including hilarious out-takes, the Horizon films What On Earth is Wrong with Gravity? Do You Know What Time It Is? and Can We Make a Star on Earth?
Extras
• Audio Commentaries
• What on Earth is Wrong with Gravity?
• Can We Make a Star on Earth?
• Do You Know What Time It Is?
• Blunders of the Universe
“Fantastic television, the BBC at its best.” Sunday Express
“A sense of wonder underscores every Cox sentence and it’s utterly contagious.” The Guardian
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
This special edition contains both 'Wonders' series' plus extra commentaries and three additional hour-long documentaries (previously broadcast as Horizon episodes) on the subject of astronomy. Overall, it's a magnificent package -- the only real wonder is whether there's anyone left who hasn't already bought the earlier DVD sets...
Undoubtedly, the 'Solar System' series is the more popular of the two. Some fans of Prof Cox feel that he was encouraged to lighten the hardcore science contect of 'Universe' and that it tended too far in the direction of entertainment and away from information.
Each hour-long episode is visually striking and easily accessible for all ages. Presenter Prof Brian Cox never patronises the audience and has a special knack for explaining quite complex theories with real-life examples. Both series incorporate plenty of excellent visual stimulation and makes great use of CGI as well as many of original images from space probes. The animations usefully demonstrate some of the trickier aspects of planetary geometry - for instance, understanding how the magnetosphere protects the earth from the solar wind isn't exactly easy to picture from a wordy description, but the CGI showed it perfectly.
'Universe' has been criticised for being too flamboyant and for concentrating too much upon the presenter rather than the subject and, on second viewing, maybe those critics have a point. However, it's obviously that Prof Cox's intention is to engage and inspire his audience to stimulate further involvement in the subject. So while I would have prefered more scientific detail (and not so may splashy sunsets), there's no doubt that both series succeed in encapsulating really big subjects in astronomy into neat, hour-long packages that will entertain a wide audience.
So this Special Edition package is particularly suitable for fans of Prof Cox -- of all ages; the 'Wonders' programmes are entirely suitable for getting younger viewers interested in science to start with. And very enjoyable for us older students to watch again. The extra episodes from Horizon were fun, too, but not essential to the over-view of the series. So if you're not interested in them then you should buy the straightforward The Wonders Collection [DVD] Wonders Collection
9/10
Undoubtedly, the 'Solar System' series is the more popular of the two. Some fans of Prof Cox feel that he was encouraged to lighten the hardcore science contect of 'Universe' and that it tended too far in the direction of entertainment and away from information.
Each hour-long episode is visually striking and easily accessible for all ages. Presenter Prof Brian Cox never patronises the audience and has a special knack for explaining quite complex theories with real-life examples. Both series incorporate plenty of excellent visual stimulation and makes great use of CGI as well as many of original images from space probes. The animations usefully demonstrate some of the trickier aspects of planetary geometry - for instance, understanding how the magnetosphere protects the earth from the solar wind isn't exactly easy to picture from a wordy description, but the CGI showed it perfectly.
'Universe' has been criticised for being too flamboyant and for concentrating too much upon the presenter rather than the subject and, on second viewing, maybe those critics have a point. However, it's obviously that Prof Cox's intention is to engage and inspire his audience to stimulate further involvement in the subject. So while I would have prefered more scientific detail (and not so may splashy sunsets), there's no doubt that both series succeed in encapsulating really big subjects in astronomy into neat, hour-long packages that will entertain a wide audience.
So this Special Edition package is particularly suitable for fans of Prof Cox -- of all ages; the 'Wonders' programmes are entirely suitable for getting younger viewers interested in science to start with. And very enjoyable for us older students to watch again. The extra episodes from Horizon were fun, too, but not essential to the over-view of the series. So if you're not interested in them then you should buy the straightforward The Wonders Collection [DVD] Wonders Collection
9/10
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Prof Brian Cox presents the pure science clearly and expresses his joy in learning and discovering how nature works. His enthusiasm is infectious and his teaching incredibly clear and solid. Highly recommended for all ages and backgrounds. You learn something both about science and how a child's fascination with studying nature can become a lifelong passion with technical, professional scientific study. Beautiful graphics and genuinely poetic choices of music, content and visuals. I bought this version for the audio commentaries which are very illuminating and add another dimension to the serendipity which played into how these were produced. Only criticism is I wish every episode had a commentary attached.
Oh, if you're in the USA or other non-Region2 area, you can probably play these on your computer.
Oh, if you're in the USA or other non-Region2 area, you can probably play these on your computer.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I bought the Wonders Collection after seeing the series on TV and missing a couple of episodes. I wasn't dissappointed. The collection brings the solar system and the universe into your living room and told by an equally fascinating man. I didn't know much about physics or the universe but this dvd collection is perfect for introducing you to how the universe works and why physics is important.
The bonus episodes dealing with a single subject are good too and don't take themselves too seriously. The locations and music are great on all the episodes. Well worth the money in my humble opinion and a small price to pay for such a fascinating subject told by a fascinating man.
The bonus episodes dealing with a single subject are good too and don't take themselves too seriously. The locations and music are great on all the episodes. Well worth the money in my humble opinion and a small price to pay for such a fascinating subject told by a fascinating man.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great footage and great story telling
Its wonderfully written and narrated by Prof Brian Cox.
It contains so many hard to find footage(in HD).
Go for this Bluray edition, its worth it.
It contains so many hard to find footage(in HD).
Go for this Bluray edition, its worth it.
Published 9 days ago by Aniruddha
The universe, beautifully told
The wonders collection is beautifully told, The visuals are just amazing and so is the music. You can tell that Brian cox has a passion for astronomy as he goes into great detail... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jack
UK DVD's don't work in the US
Bought two DVD's from Amazon UK, not knowing and NOT TOLD that DVD's sold in the UK, do not work on players sold in the US.
Published 3 months ago by Tank
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