Product: Future Is Wild [VHS]
Rating: 3.0
Very disappointed.
I think I saw this once, without the scientific commentary, and it was fantastic. I don't believe, as one reviewer said here, that you have to be more than an "average joe" to understand the commentaries by illustrious teachers, because what they're saying isn't that complex, and it's explained by well-drawn digital diagrams, etc. In fact, the digital stuff is exquisite. It's just too bad there's not more of it, and I think in the original I saw I loved it because it just went from one digital image to another, and the artistry was marvelous. Frankly, I was shocked at how boring the scientific commentary was. At the risk of sounding anti-intellectual (which I am not - I'm a writer and teacher myself) I have to wonder why these incredibly frumpy, lumpy, dumpy scientists were allowed to appear as themselves on what was otherwise a slick and attractive presentation (although there was nowhere near as much variety as there could have been - the repetitiveness of the imagery in this version nearly drove me mad). What I'm saying is that if you are going to create a commercial film for mass consumption, at least make sure that your stars trim their hair, wear well-fitting clothing that at least camouflages a paunch, and get rid of of the absurd accessories, i.e., floppy, printed day-glow bow-ties and matching pocket handkerchiefs. The public is used to well-groomed celebrities and presenters, but that's not what I am talking about. It's nice to see "real" people in commercial productions. However - even "real" people can present a semblance of taste, when appearing before the public. The only thing that redeems these geeks is the fact that they resemble, somewhat, the creatures they are describing, especially the giant squid at the end with eight klutzy legs and the pulsing blue light on its forehead: a very attractive millipod or whatever the freak it was. Enough. I just threw the freaking thing against the wall in frustration. I suppose I'll have to write again and make amends for my rude commentary. But really - is this thing actually a comedy? By the end of it my husband I were writhing on the floor in hysterical laughter. Jim Carey should do a take-off. Love you, guys; geniuses. You made me laff.