Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Clear-eyed view of oceans' plight offers glimmer of hope.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Perpetual Planet: Heroes of the Ocean
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In an early scene in PERPETUAL PLANET: HEROES OF THE OCEAN, Dr. Sylvia Earle emerges smiling from the water wearing a scuba tank. She might look like the embodiment of a sporty senior, but really she's a legendary deep-sea explorer and ground-breaking scientist. Her goal is to educate communities about the importance of protecting the ocean and its inhabitants. In this show, her narrative drives the story: a woman who -- during her lifetime -- has seen the state of the ocean change from a healthy, undefinable space, teeming with uncharted life to an ecosystem on the brink of disaster. Scientists from across the globe speak about their discoveries and their concerns. Will we be able to bring back life to the oceans? Can we work together to preserve our blue planet?
Is It Any Good?
Beautifully filmed and paired with a sweeping musical score, this show has the optics and the story necessary to inspire viewers. Perpetual Planet: Heroes of the Ocean is stunning for a few reasons. One, the breadth of scope that the film covers is vast. Scientists in Antarctica study life under ice caps, while others are crawling across the ocean floor in Tahiti. Two, the woman who narrates the show is a hero many people have never heard of. She was breaking records for deep-sea exploration and designing the equipment with which to do so before many of these scientists in the show were born.
Parents who feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the problem of the human impact on the ocean may feel empowered by the passionate scientists in this show. Kids will love the footage of manta rays and cool deep sea vessels that can spend days under water. A gripping and well crafted documentary with a very important message.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the grit, determination, and resilience that the explorers and scientists in Perpetual Planet: Heroes of the Ocean exhibit. Do role models like these inspire you to do great things?
Dr. Sylvia Earle talks about how her curiosity drove her to become a deep-sea explorer and scientist. Where does your curiosity take you?
A scientist uses technology to listen to underwater life communicate. How do you think technology helps you communicate? How can it negatively affect communication?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : April 22, 2021
- Director : Naomi Austin
- Studio : BBC
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Activism , STEM , Animals ( Ocean Creatures )
- Run time : 52 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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