The Galapagos and the animals that inhabit them are truly fascinating and it is wholly understandable as to why they are very commonly covered in documentaries. Also saw 2006's 'Galapagos' as someone who loves documentaries ever since watching classics such as 'Planet Earth' and 'Blue Planet' and who likes Tilda Swinton a lot as an actress. Oh and the premise for the series, with a mix of nature, environmental and humanity, sounded very interesting.
Was very impressed by the first episode "Born on Fire". Was very impressed also by "Islands that Changed the World". Even though not ground-breaking, a lot was learnt, there are once again some memorable imagery and there is even a touch of Charles Darwin in the mix (appropriate seeing as this instalment is about evolution and he was a pioneering figure in it). Did "Islands that Changed the World" blow me away? Not quite, but despite a couple of flaws there is a lot to love.
Am going to get the flaws out of the way first. My main issue is the music. It is over loud and used too much, also not fitting that well with the tone of the series where it was trying to sound more cinematic than needed.
Some of the narration is a bit too cookie cutter and cheesy, especially when it tries to be poetic.
Everything else is spot on. Was always stunned throughout by the scenery, which was a mix of beautiful, atmospheric and uncompromising. The photography is out of this world, such vibrant colours that pop out and it's so clear and fluid. Such as the sight of seeing flightless cormorants hunting underwater. Really loved the wonderfully varied animals, whether prey or predator and big or small. The aforementioned part with the cormorants stands out, but the episode also contains another memorable use of giant tortoises, this time charmingly courting on a volcano rim.
While the narration writing doesn't always work, Tilda Swinton's delivery was not an issue. It is very soothing and understated, personally didn't think it one note at all. Most of the narration is very informative and thought provoking, even if there was not much that was new the execution didn't feel too been there, done that. The Darwin inclusion was not laid on too thick and the Bishop of Panama story was new to me.
Overall, very good. 8/10.