As said many times, David Attenborough is 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. 'Flying Monsters 3D with David Attenborough' is one of Attenborough's 3D documentary programmes, his first if correctly recalled in fact, and became the first 3D programme to be shown on British television and win a Bafta. Both great achievements and deserved as well. It may not among the best he has ever done, in a career that has more very good to masterpiece stuff than most working today. To say that 'Flying Monsters 3D with David Attenborough' is not one of his best yet still manages to be very good says a lot about how good his best work is.
Would also have liked to see more of the creatures in action and more interaction, because they were there it was amazing to watch and one does wish that there was more. Occasionally the lighting is a little too filtered. Can't fault the rest of 'Flying Monsters 3D with David Attenborough' though.
'Flying Monsters 3D with David Attenborough' looks splendid on a visual level. It is gorgeously filmed, done in a completely fluid and natural, sometimes intimate (a great way of connecting more with the flying creatures) way and never looking static. In fact much of it is remarkably cinematic. The editing is always succinct and smooth and the scenery is spectacular.
3D has had very variable execution when used. Sometimes it can enhance the experience and look great, at other times it distracts and is both overused and abused. Luckily, the 3D here in 'Flying Monsters 3D with David Attenborough' is of the incredibly well made kind and enhances the experience, allowing one to see these amazing creatures up close. It is a long way from soulless either, as well as looking incredible the creature have personality and soul, making it easy to engage with them and feel for them in the same way one would with a human character (the beauty of a lot of Attenborough's best work).
The music score fits very well, never overly grandiose while never being inappropriate while also being a beautiful score in its own right.
'Flying Monsters 3D with David Attenborough' is incredibly educational and always maintains interest. Have seen a lot of television, film and books on dinosaurs but still found myself learning a vast amount. In terms of the facts there was a very good mix of the known ones and the unknown and the investigative elements and how the conclusions made are reached really do engross.
Attenborough's presenting as always helps quite a bit. 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.
One cannot review 'Flying Monsters 3D with David Attenborough' without mentioning a highlight or two. Particularly noteworthy is the truly unforgettable pursuit of the glider by the quetzalcoatlus, a tense and visually awe-inspiring scene that will stay with one forever.
To conclude, beautiful and fascinating. An example of documentaries faring surprisingly very well in 3D when executed well like here. 8/10 Bethany Cox
