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Our Planet

Name: Our Planet
Item: Our Planet
Rating: 4
Author: Emily Ashby

TV review by

Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media

Common Sense says

age 6+

(i)

Gorgeous docuseries features animal life, nature's wonders.

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Parents say

age 8+

Based on 3 reviews

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

Educational Value

This series introduces viewers to wonders of the natural world, bringing the planet's remote corners and elusive inhabitants up close. The narrator explains unfamiliar animal behavior to put it into context for the audience and makes connections between the species' struggle to survive and the effects of climate change on their habitats.

Positive Messages

The series exposes viewers to the diversity of the animal world and the delicate balance of various elements in nature. The narrator relates climate change to the animals' behavior and increasing challenges to survival, indirectly encouraging viewers to prioritize conservation.

Positive Role Models & Representations

The narrator's work inspires respect for nature and a desire to protect it from harmful effects of human expansion.

Violence & Scariness

Territorial disputes among animals like walruses turn violent as they battle for dwindling safe havens. The reality of predator and prey in the wild is on full display, especially where animals hunt the young and weak among a group. In one emotional scene, walruses hurl themselves from a cliff onto the rocky beach below in a fateful attempt to return to the sea.

Sexy Stuff

Nothing physical, but frequent mention of reproducing, mating, and mating practices of different species.

Language

Consumerism

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Our Planet is a beautiful nature docuseries about the effects of climate change on wildlife and habitats from the team behind Planet Earth and narrated by David Attenborough. Most of the show is dedicated to exposing viewers to amazing species and their survival methods, overcoming harsh climates, scarce food sources, and dwindling resources for shelter. The topic of climate change and humans' role in it is less consistent. Some scenes involve predators' hunting of prey, which sometimes culminates in the death of a young animal. Others show carcasses of animals that died as a result of accidents like falling from cliffs. This captivating series is a smart pick for family viewing, but be ready to field questions about mating and reproducing as they're mentioned in the content.

User Reviews

Parents say
Kids say

Adult Written byScanners April 19, 2019

age 14+

Amazing photography, but definitely not a TV-G

Amazing photography and a critical message ruined by gratuitous death scenes, such as a walrus falling from a cliff, not once, but multiple different sequences... Continue reading

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Parent of a 6 year old Written byRach1806 April 18, 2019

age 6+

Great docu-series that pushes an agenda

The cinematography and scenery that is captured is nothing short of incredible. Truly. Some parts of these episodes take your breath away, literally. It shows t... Continue reading

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What's the story?

In OUR PLANET, renowned naturalist David Attenborough narrates a sweeping tour of Earth's natural diversity and explores how climate change is affecting different species' efforts to survive. From the frozen Arctic tundra to the lush rainforest to the vast African deserts, this production from the creators of Planet Earth celebrates the marvels of nature, the interconnectedness of animal species, and the responsibilities and hazards of a growing human population's effect on the planet.

Is it any good?

Predictably gorgeous and awe-inspiring, this expertly produced nature docuseries turns thousands of hours of videography into eight episodes of captivating, compelling, and sometimes emotional drama. Life, death, feast, famine, and the eternal struggle to survive and reproduce lay the foundation for the show's content. Attenborough sets the scene by asserting the following statistics: As the human population has grown over the past 50 years, wildlife numbers have decreased by an average of 60%. From there he extrapolates that as humans have contributed to nature's increased instability, we alone can help ensure its recovery.

The trouble is, it's an argument that gets swept aside as Our Planet treats viewers to stunningly beautiful scenes of nature and wildlife. Only occasionally does Attenborough return to the topic of climate change and conservation. It does nothing to detract from the impressive presentation of the world's wonders, but it gives the series a slightly indecisive purpose overall.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about what Our Planet intends to teach viewers. Is its goal to expose them to nature and its inhabitants or to inspire behavior of some kind?
What examples of instinct do you see in this show? How does instinct help animals survive? To what degree do people use instinct for the same purpose?
What big and small changes can you and your family make to be better stewards of natural resources? What responsibilities do we have to protect nature? What are the risks to humans of not doing so? Is it difficult to keep a positive attitude in light of worrisome news about the environment and the world?