User reviews

i have been watching and loving films and TV shows for years now, and loving the study of the universe for even longer than that.

that being said, this is the first time i have ever felt the need to create an account on IMDb solely to rate something a "10"

this has an absolutely stunning, heartfelt, emotional introduction, and i only anticipate it getting better from here.

i will probably update this review as the series goes on, or i may just review episodes individually. but either way, i firmly suggest that every human being on earth watch this show.

have a good life everyone.

Neil deGrasse Tyson is a marvelous astrophysicist who really loves his field and you can see this in the way he narrates the series. Cosmos is not only a journey, it also shows how much science has improved since the original series, all the new evidence, technology, and ideas, they encourage the next generation to pursue knowledge and discover something amazing. The visuals are stunning, the animation is unique, and most importantly it is very informative. The way Neil describes the universe is very coherent and easy for everyone to understand. This is an excellent series that shows science isn't just flat rigorous work, it is about discovery, asking questions, wonder, achievement.

Absolutely blown away by Neil deGrasse Tyson's hosting of Cosmos. You can tell he enjoys telling the story of the Cosmos. What makes the Cosmos remake most exciting to me is that new theories such as the 'Multiverse' theory and new findings are inevitably making its way to the front-line of grand-audience explanations of the universe. Also, now that graphics technology is more advanced than it was years ago during the first Cosmos series, the illustrations are much more telling and mesmerizing; this helps the viewer to visually break down some complexities that Neil alludes to in some of his narrative discussion.

I can't think of anyone better to narrate this story other than Neil. It's obvious he's passionate about this show. Neil's tribute to Carl was touching in explaining how Carl inspired 'just a 17 year old kid from the Bronx' to become one of the most influential scientists of our modern generation.

I'm extremely excited for the rest of the series to evolve and use the previous Cosmos series formula as a sort of foundation to continue captivating and inspiring the audience. After viewing the first episode, it's evident that future episodes will not disappoint.

This was so much fun--and it is so amazing that Carl Sagan's wife, Seth McFarlane, and Tyson Degrasse from NOVA are all together on this! I love the idea of using animation to portray ancient people--it completely avoids the campy feel of actors in strange beards and so-so backgrounds. Genius, Family Guy guy. I love the perspective it gives you, by really squishing enormous concepts into feasible bits of knowledge. It's not so you'll impress your friends--its so that you watch, and understand why you are so amazed by the universe. The computer animation of some of one of the first creatures to walk on land looks pretty darn tootin' real, as well--something that I loved. No strange feelings that their feet were hovering above the sand as they were animated--this is high quality. Additionally, Tyson seems more personable, even more likable, and definitely watchable because of his knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject. This is worth the watch, a wonderful surprise, and I am super excited for episode two. It's getting me to the gym to watch it on the treadmill. :)

Neil really takes the baton from Carl and does a fine job with the show. With Ann co-producing and Seth also involved, I can't wait for the rest of the episodes. All in all, 10/10 for the show. Bringing astronomy and science to everyone, Neil was the most apt person to do this. Tip: watch in 720p or higher only because the visuals are brilliant. They tried to take some elements from the 1980 Cosmos, which is noticeable. Also Seth's influence is noticeable, with a few animations. The music at times was suiting the mood, and felt modern. Seth said in an interview that he wanted to make a difference, and with this, he surely is.

This was an absolute blast to watch! I was excited from the moment that I found out that Cosmos would be returning to TV. It was, and still is, one of the shows as a child that really made me feel an overwhelming awe about reality and life as we have come to understand it. I applaud Seth Macfarlane and the FOX Network for taking a chance, and bringing this amazing mini- series to a new generation. Also HUGE kudos to Neil Degrasse Tyson for really taking the reigns, and conveying such amazing topics in thought provoking narrative terms that my daughter, and all children, can now easily understand and enjoy immensely. I really thought that everyone involved handled these topics in an elegant way in which to minimize the offense that a few may try to find with these subjects in which scientific evidence can actually back up. Thank you, to everyone involved, for the beautiful and amazing masterpiece that is... Cosmos...

Thank You Seth MacFarlane for having the foresight for bringing this back with your own money. Carl Sagan when I was growing up influenced me with the original Cosmos series to go into science and also gave me the love of science fiction.

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson is brilliant in continuing in Mr Sagan's footsteps. The the score written by Alan Silvestri also fantastic. I will be introducing this to my young family as the love of Cosmos should be for all generations.

There is updated animation no doubt influenced by Seth's Family Guy roots but this should hold the attention of the kids as the this combined with the special effects should keep them engrossed and learn at the same time.

Look forward to more episodes and questions from kids !

Disclaimer: This review is based exclusively on the first episode.

First things first. Audience of the original by Carl Sagan may be disappointed by this remake. It's almost exactly the same as the original, word by word. But with cheaper production methods, brighter colors and crisper sound. Most importantly, it's without Carl Sagan and Vangelis' excellent music. Also, the stuff covered is not as amusing to the grown up audience who had the pleasure of enjoying the original. You already know this stuff.

However, the qualities Cosmos presented to us in 1980, are still the same. It's a very inspiring series well suited to kickstart a young mind into independent critical thinking, curiosity and appreciation of science. The pace and presentation have been changed to better suit todays young, and older audience may not appreciate this. The pace is however still comfortably relaxed compared to other TV material aimed towards the same audience, making me think they will have a very similar experience to the own we had all those years ago. But this series is for the young, and I'm sure it has all the qualities the original had needed when it comes to trigger their curiosity, fascination and generally change the way they see themselves and the world they live in. Personally I think Tyson does a great job walking in Sagans footsteps.

Adults with much knowledge about our world criticizing the series for being shallow and bring few new details to the original don't impress me at all. They have misunderstood the whole point of this series, which is all about creating enthusiasm for science among the younger. Not updating adult geeks on the very latest on string theory.

Adults may not learn a lot, but you will be entertained. For the younger, this has the potential to be the same amazing ride as it was for us 35 years ago.

Being a long time lurker, I decided to register with the site in order to review Cosmos: A SpaceTime Odyssey. As a man with an insatiable appetite for all things science (especially astronomy and anthropology), I can't begin to describe what a delight this program is. My jaw hit the floor when I realized that this is a FOX production, as balanced educational programming is not exactly the company's strong suit. Neil pulls off an eloquent narration of the astrophysical origins of our universe, the development of life as we know it and the countless leaps in science achieved by it's often overlooked contributors (especially the disenfranchised but tenacious females that refused to fold under patriarchal power schemes). The production value is through the roof and enlivens the imagination of viewers young and old alike. I wish that I was exposed to this program as a child in school. I may have paid more attention and become a little more intellectually curious. I agree with the other posters who noted that ALL human beings should give this a watch. There is very little bias towards any speculative theory and a rich appreciation of the historicity of scientific thought. The search for meaning through empirical analysis and the hypothetico-deductive method was contributed to by so many civilizations over a vast period of time. This is the story of humanity. Beautiful, reckless, inquisitive and triumphant. I do also like how typical creationist arguments (some of them straw men perhaps) are dispatched with so quickly, and hope that some of those who rely strictly on ancient textual interpretations of the world open their minds to the truly awesome nature of reality that leaves us with questions instead of answers. The questions are for the brave.

thank you Dr. Tyson for being a well informed scientist and presenting this series in the humble manner it started in way back in the 80's, where most humans could grasp the true meaning. the upgrade is certainly appreciated, and heartfelt in every way. there can be no doubt that the young and old will treasure your "Cosmos" series even more with wide eyed wonder and amazement.

yours, and the entire support staff's hard work on this production has paid off, and will do so for quite some time.

maybe forever. : )

thanks again, Metallak

US has best resource for such a documentary. Universities, NASA, national labs, Hollywood, I cannot image what is lack of. Frankly, The film is excellent for primary school kids based on my experience. As a adult, I prefer BBC documentaries on the same topic.

Rich in content, best pictures and simulation videos I have ever see, even there are some scientific flaws. However, the isolated stories seems to be less of connection. From quark to atom, then gas, solid material, moon, planet, star, system, galaxy, group, universe. Each of them are connected. However, I get confused while Nile takes me to everywhere. It's a wonderful experience to enjoy the journey, however, I got a "spaceship" sick.

Carl Sagan's Cosmos was factual, somewhat detached and more open-minded, this show is more about overdramatized, non-factual story making that seems to have less focus on the science in itself and much more on stories about scientists. The stories are often skewed or outright silly. In the end it makes this show feel more like it's a show fetishising science and being cultish about the persons involved in it, rather than factual science.

I suppose that's to be expected when the director is Seth MacFarlane... Where the old show was informative, thought-provoking and insightful this one is pretentious and trying much too hard to jerk itself whilst yelling "SCIENCE UUUUH!" whilst at the same time doing a fair bit of conjecture and guesswork about things that have not and cannot be proven, just in order to make a more dramatic story and "making sense" of history.

I am not a religious person in the slightest, but this show spares no chance of taking jabs at religion in a way that stinks of Macfarlane's personal bias. But then, Tyson himself isn't the most tactful person either. In Carl Sagan's Cosmos religion is often brought up, but never disparaged. Hinduism is even brought up in the old show as an example of a religion that has had the right idea about how the universe might work but of course pointing out that it's not quite right.

When I watch a show about science I want to hear about the science. I don't want to be preached to about the Almighty Science, ironic as that might be. When this show doesn't do these things it shines and I wish that's all it was.

What can i say about this remake of an already epic TV/Documentary show? If it is not enough that we are talking about an upgrade of something that was brilliant by itself, it had to be done by one of the greatest communicators of the scientific world; Dr. Neil Degrasse Tyson!

Everything about these series is brilliant. To watch the universe at work in HD tanks to wonderful animations, plus the deep and mysterious voice of Dr. Tyson, is a real experience.

Plus, the science behind it as well as the learning experience is something really worth of anyones time. When people talk about having fun while learning this is the best example.

This TV Show should be MANDATORY for everyone. There is something almost mystical about it. The perspective that we get from it about our reality is something that keeps e wondering all day long after the episode.

I would like to thank Dr. Tyson and all the people involved for this piece of Scientific Cinematography! I never saw learning, fun, science and even life lessons, fused together this well before!

Perfect follower of Carl Sagan Cosmos 1980

• gorgeous Hollywood visual effects like from A-rated sci-fi movie

• catchy story lines including cartooned biographies of famous scientists

• passionate narrator Neil DeGrasse Tyson ;)

• definitely a Must-Watch, Enjoy.

Neil DeGrasse Tyson taken a torch of education and science propagation from Carl Sagan and is carrying it proudly in our modern days. As he have a great experience with making documentaries from NOVA Science Now he knows how to bring fascinating facts and not-so-easy concepts right to the viewer in a fun to watch exciting manner. The stories in episodes from 1-13 makes a good sense and some overlapping through the episodes do not allow you to forget on them so quickly. COSMOS as opposite to many descriptive documentaries instead of just explaining facts and concepts, puts you more into the center-line of the overall story and makes it part of yours, therefore making it a really enjoyable experience.

People often call the exploration and quest to understand it, the most noble undertaking in human history. I wholeheartedly agree. This series is the accumulation of all the progress we have made so far. It is piece of art that will be reflected upon by future generations who have mastered space travel and have discovered the things this series couldn't tell yet.

There are moments that are a bit cheesy but the goal of the series isn't to make a detailed explanation of all the math and science behind the universe, its about objectively packaging our garnered knowledge of the universe and making it as accessible as possible for all of humankind. It succeeds tenfold.

This, along with documentaries like Planet Earth should be considered mankind's greatest works of art. If an alien civilization ever discovers our earth, these two series should be the first things they are shown. They encompass almost everything we know about the natural world and should be mandatory viewing in classrooms.

It changed my perception and made me realize the immense beauty and power of the universe.

Apart from it just being a great series it should also be watched when you're high on weed or other psychedelics. It gave me a really powerful realization of our place in this world.

As a high school science teacher, nothing brings me more joy than kids being excited about science, and Cosmos does exactly that. It brings a joy of knowledge and understanding to viewers through stunning visuals and a well-spoken narrative. It encourages a much needed excitement of scientific discovery and pursuit of critical thinking. Cosmos is also filling a gap of knowledge left in the wake of a poorly funded educational institution in America.

In an age when people fill countless hours each week with Honey Boo-Boo, Duck Dynasty, and Kim Kardashian, not to mention once "science channels" like Discovery, History, and PBS dumbing down their programming to appeal to the drooling masses, Cosmos is a serious breathe of fresh air amidst a sea of network miasma.

After seeing all 13 episodes of this, i can hands down say, that this is the best science program that has ever been aired. From the very first episode the grip tightens, and never lets go.

All humans will greatly benefit watching this series. The depth, details, knowledge, vision and quality is beyond anything else ever made. All this thanks to Ann Druyan which also wrote the story for Contact starring Jodie Foster, and Seth MacFarlane who basically paid for the whole journey. And last but not least, Neil deGrasse Tyson. I bow down before you in awe of this magnificent creation.

I rarely give 10's in my life. 10 is like above and beyond. For me to give something a 10, either if it is a movie, TV series, documentary etc. It must deliver above expectations, i call my 10's the "raise the bar score".

And this show does just that. I am very glad i have seen it, and i will never forget it. It is simply the crown jewel of "space documentary".

I can not recommend this enough.

The producers of this show have really outdone themselves in this continuation of the Cosmos series. Many television shows of its kind miss the point of being on TV: to teach young people how to love learning. There is a lack of interest in science that needs to exist again for our society to advance as fast as it can. This show teaches not only the basics of science but the desire and hunger for knowledge about the universe. And it achieves this hunger for knowledge without exploring too deeply the petty minutia of science-religion debate. The beauty of our universe and the endless possibilities of scientific endeavor are more than enough for this show to succeed, a fact host Neil DeGrasse Tyson and producers understand.

I've watched this series from the beginning. Meaning Carl Sagan. And I've gotta tell you, Dr. Sagan's protégé, the justifiably lauded Neil deGrasse Tyson, sublimely captures the spirit of the original. He's a pleasure to watch and listen to, as he guides us viewers through the cosmos with his lovely tones and masterful grasp of science - a lot like Carl.

I just watched last Sunday night's concluding season one episode, and Neil and his team pulled out all the stops. Thrilling, exhilarating, jaw-dropping stuff. And it made me cry. That's a tough bar for a science program. What caused the waterworks for me was the replay near the end, of Carl's editorial on the existence of the Earth, what it means to us, and the role it plays in the cosmos - which, let's face it, is relatively insignificant.

As Dr. Tyson imparts, what IS significant, for us, is how we perceive the universe - that's pretty much the point of the show. The final episode's discussion of dark matter, supernovas, and Earth's billion-year missive to the galaxy in the form of a seriously long-playing album - dispatched by President Jimmy Carter - was splendid.

But let's return to Neil. Dr. Tyson's scientific expertise and allure as a performer are unparalleled. He has equaled and, I think, bested those qualities of his his mentor. Dr. Sagan would be very proud of that.

I'm ready for Season Two.

For me ,no TV show or movie or any other multimedia content given so much thrilling.

Every human should watch, it broadens our view and force us to think how small a human is. Also it allows us it to think whatever big our problems are, how small they are if we compare.