David Attenborough is nothing short of a national treasure. He may apparently dislike the term, but it is hard to not say that about such a great presenter who has contributed significantly to some of the best programmes (of the documentary genre and overall) the BBC has ever aired/produced.
It is really hard picking favourites, let alone a definite favourite, among what Attenborough has done because he has done so many gems, it is the equivalent of trying to choose your favourite ice cream flavour or your favourite operatic role (for examples) and finding you can't pick. 'Great Barrier Reef with David Attenborough' is not one of his best, but even when Attenborough was not at his best he still delivered. The "making of" footage scenes have been more interesting elsewhere in his other work, here they felt like padding and didn't illuminate as much this time. It also lacks the emotional punch and complex emotions of the animal/wildlife documentaries. Still, other than that 'Great Barrier Reef with David Attenborough' is very good and almost lives up to its great name.
'Great Barrier Reef with David Attenborough' looks amazing first and foremost. The colours really pop out at you and one is totally immersed into this wondrous undersea world. It is gorgeously filmed, done in a completely fluid and natural, sometimes intimate (a great way of connecting even more with the animals), way and never looking static. In fact much of it is remarkably cinematic with some of the shots being unique for a documentary series, making one forget that it is a series. The editing is always succinct and smooth and the scenery is pure magic. The music score fits very well, never overly grandiose while never being inappropriate.
Again, like so many Attenborough nature/wildlife documentaries, 'Great Barrier Reef with David Attenborough' fascinates, teaches, moves, entertains and transfixes. In terms of the facts there was a very good mix of the known ones and the unknown, some facts being familiar to us while going into detail about the Great Barrier Reef.
Narration by Attenborough helps significantly. He clearly knows his stuff and knows what to say and how to say it. He delivers it with his usual richness, soft-spoken enthusiasm and sincerity, never talking down to the viewer and keeping them riveted and wanting to know more.
Overall, very good but not among the best Attenborough has done. 8/10 Bethany Cox
