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Blue Planet (Planet Green)

common sense media says

Stunning undersea footage trumps a few storytelling flaws.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this stunningly beautiful documentary series about the oceans features plenty of footage of marine creatures in action, hunting, eating, mating, and just playing. Kids will likely be entranced by this engrossing educational series, and there’s no reason for parents to be wary as long as their kids have a good grasp of animal behavior and won't be upset by scenes of predators in action (both the hunting and mating sequences are straightforward and honest but not sensationalized).

Educational value: Viewers will learn plenty of fascinating facts about the world's seas and oceans and the wide variety of creatures that inhabit them.
Positive messages: The narrator makes a powerful case for preserving the oceans.
Positive role models: Naturalists and marine biologists play an important role in understanding the mysteries of the deep.
Violence & scariness: Some scenes of ocean predators in action.
Sexy stuff: Some discussion of marine mating habits.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Blue Planet

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about climate change and the sea. How have humans altered the planet, especially the oceans? How does that impact marine life? Do you think ecology and conservation have become more common themes in TV shows in recent years?
  • How do you think the filmmakers managed to capture all this underwater footage? Do you think that sounds like a fun job? Does watching this show make you want to learn more about the oceans? How could you turn an interest in the seas into a career?

What's the story?

What's the story?
More than 70 percent of the Earth's surface is covered by water, but as narrator David Attenborough explains in BLUE PLANET, the seas remain largely a mystery. This beautiful documentary series tries to answer some of those mysteries, using amazing footage of marine creatures in the wild, from the largest whales to tiny krill. It also examines humans' impact on the oceans and shows how the changing climate is also changing the undersea ecosystem.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

This series (which originally aired in the United States in 2002) is truly beautiful to watch. The producers, and especially the camera operators, have managed to capture incredible footage of the oceans’ inhabitants in their element.

But the series sometimes seems to lack a unifying thread other than the seas. Each episode consists of several different segments that aren't always connected. A segment about the physics of waves can lead info footage of sea turtles crawling across a beach to lay their eggs. Both are interesting, but there’s little connection.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-G
Network: Planet Green
Cast: David Attenborough
Genre: Educational
Where to watch: Planet Green
This review was written by Will Wade
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

qtnn
parent of 10 and 11 year old
7
 
like "Planet Earth" underwater edition, but we enjoyed this more
Beautifully shot, fascinating, goes deeper than any other movie/series on this subject. Some of the footage is first-time-ever, like the 1 night a year that corals send out spores. Our favorite episodes are Tidal Seas and Coral Seas. Some very young may be bothered by fish hunting/eating each other, but older kids should learn that's part of life.
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Tchaivoskyfan1812
kid, 10 years old
7
 
Interesting...
It's a great series, stunning footage and very educational. However, it is reasonably violent. I'd recommend it for 5 and up, but I don't think the young 'un's could enjoy it.
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