Alien Planet (2005) (TV)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Pierre de Lespinois

Writers:

Peter Crabbe (writer)
Steve Eder (writer)

Release Date:

14 May 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary | Animation | Sci-Fi

Plot:

The CGI or computer animated drama/documentary takes place on Darwin IV, a planet 6.5 light years from earth...

Plot Keywords:

Alien Planet | Computer Animation

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Wayne D. Barlowe	...	Himself
Curtis Clark	...	Himself
James Garvin	...	Himself
Jamie Haines	...	Himself
Stephen Hawking	...	Himself
Jack Horner	...	Himself
Joan Horvath	...	Herself
Michio Kaku	...	Himself
James Kirkland	...	Himself
George Lucas	...	Himself
John C. McGinley	...	Narrator
Victoria Meadows	...	Herself
David Moriarty	...	Himself
Randy Pollock	...	Himself
J. Craig Venter	...	Himself

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Netherlands:MG6

Filming Locations:

Iceland

Company:

Discovery Channel

Dubious assumptions about alien biology

This show looks sexy and is presented as such, but is rife with dubious and questionable assumptions on biology, ecology and zoology of the alien planet. While intriguing on the surface, the descriptions of alien animals are poorly thought through and do not match the stipulated physical conditions on the alien planet. In addition to other scientific errors, this is obvious and annoying enough to completely kill my enjoyment of the show.

It seems to me as if the show wavers between a science-fiction-like narrative and a more documentary attitude. This does not work well, and one or the other should have been used, rather than a poor amalgam of both.

Points given for trying though.

EDIT: Having seen the program once again, I find that I have to amend my initial comments somewhat. Points previously given in a gesture of reluctant goodwill are hereby removed. This show is utter bollicks, and the only positive thing I can say about it is that it just might inspire people to look into the possibility of alien life in a more serious way. It is, however, obvious that this show was designed and written by people with a severely limited grasp of science and scientific theory, and an obviously insufficient grasp of fundamental logic. There are hundreds of truly excellent science-fiction books out there which treat this subject not only more seriously, but also more logically and more spectacularly.

In short, the dumbing-down of TV has staggered me once again, and I am truly grateful that I didn't pay to watch this program.