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Planet Earth

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Stunning high-def series spotlights world wonders.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 6 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    This excellent educational series opens viewers' eyes to the wilds of nature and touches on the plight of endangered species and the importance of preserving the planet's resources.

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Animals hunt, kill, and eat their prey.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Animals' mating rituals/overtures are mentioned.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Planet Earth was written by Emily Ashby

Parents need to know that this flat-out gorgeous high-definition nature series uses cutting-edge film equipment to capture never-before-seen animal behavior from around the world. Viewers' respect for nature and wildlife will grow with every scene -- with the impulse to protect the world's delicate balance likely to follow. Some scenes show animals hunting and killing their prey (often up close), which might frighten young viewers. But for families with kids old enough to understand basic animal behavior, the series will entertain and educate in a whole new way.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about what sets this show apart from other nature series. Does the high-definition footage make that big a difference? Why? What's more exciting -- the way the show looks, or the animal behavior it presents? Did you learn anything new from this series? Families can also discuss nature and conservation. What does it mean for a species to be endangered? What factors contribute to endangerment? Compile ideas about recycling, saving energy, and other ways to help the environment. What effect do small changes like riding a bus instead of driving or taking a shorter shower have? How can people be encouraged to make little changes that matter?
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More on Planet Earth

What’s the Story?

Elephants, lions, great white sharks, Emperor penguins, polar bears, dolphins, and many more star in PLANET EARTH -- which helps explain why it took 71 camera people five years to capture the footage used in the 11 episodes. Filmed entirely in high definition and with cutting-edge filmmaking techniques that allow unique, close-up views of animal behavior, the show reaches to the remotest corners of the earth and leads viewers through the planet's harshest deserts, richest jungles, and darkest caves.

Is It Any Good?

Never before have the world's many wonders been quite as accessible as they are in the stunning nature series Planet Earth. In the filming process, many shots and events were captured on camera for the first time; viewers will marvel at a glimpse of the rare snow leopard (one of only 40 surviving in the wild) hunting in the Himalayas, the blue bird of paradise strutting his stuff to woo a mate, and grizzly bears bringing their newborns out into the light.

Planet Earth also uses flawless time-lapse photography to show climate and seasonal changes -- like a sandstorm in the Sahara Desert or the transformation of parched desert land in Africa into a lush feeding ground for species of all shapes and sizes. Satellite photos of Earth and high-speed cameras that preserve animals' motion round out this truly unprecedented package. Narrated by actress/conservationist Sigourney Weaver, Planet Earth will educate and inspire the whole family. Just take care to explain the basics of animal behavior to young viewers, because some scenes of creatures hunting and killing prey could upset them.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Perfect for Tweens

    This movie was amazing for older children. The only problem was the hard powerful message that follows think back watchers to the polar bear scene or the Amur leopard scene. The polar bear basically dug it's own grave.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    good for families

    This nature is the best nature show out there. There is tons of cool animals and plants. There is so many cool episodes of caves, forests, seas, deserts and many more places on earth. This video has so many facts but there are lots of animals eating and attacking.

  3. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in California
    Kids ages: 4
    I rate this title on for age 3 and give it 5.0

    Great for preschoolers if you can fast forward or mute . . .

    Our daughter, who is almost 4 watches very few children's shows, none of them violent. We've watched the entire Planet Earth series with her and she loves it (and so do we). When we see what appears to be an intense predator/prey scene with her, we mute or fast forward. She lets us know what she's comfortable watching, or not. I think it's good to inform children early about the circle of life, as well as the fact that when we human beings eat meat, animals are killed. This show provides a forum for doing that, among other things.

  4. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0

    Absolutely stunning

    This series is absolutely mind blowing, I watched them all and was absolutely blown away. The camera work is incredible

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on and give it 5.0

    A Must See!!!

    I thought that this series would be just another boring animal show. I was wrong! This show is full of action and really shows the world in a new light that I have never seen it in before. It makes you really think of how much we have to save left in this planet! Everyone should have to see this show!!!

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