DVD H HOW THE EARTH WAS MADE: THE COMPLETE SEASON TWO

HOW THE EARTH WAS MADE: THE COMPLETE SEASON TWO

Written by TroyAnderson Jun 16th 2010 Hits: 45 Favorites

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THE PLOT THUS FAR

Spectacular on-location shooting, evidence from geologists in the field, and clear, dramatic graphics combine in SEASON TWO of this stunning series from HISTORY to show how immensely powerful, and at times violent, forces of geology have formed our planet.

This season, HOW THE EARTH WAS MADE goes back in history from 4.5 billion years ago to today peeling back layers of rock, filling up river canyons, parting the oceans, and leveling mountains and volcanoes to investigate the origins of some of the most well-known locations and geological phenomena in the world. With rocks as their clues and volcanoes, ice sheets and colliding continents as their suspects, scientists launch a forensic investigation that will help viewers visualize how the Earth has evolved and formed over millions of years.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

The early Earth was a hot mass of gases and molten materials at temperatures almost like what our Sun is today. As that mass cooled and water was captured from various meteorites and asteroids that must have bombarded the Earth. Slowly, over the billions of years that followed the Earth became what it is now, with land masses and an oxygen-rich atmosphere that supports life. The show showcases the various Earth cycles depicted, including periods where the whole world was covered in ice. We see the impact of volcanic activity, of glaciers, of mass extinctions. We learn that today, and the recent centuries, we are living in a period between ice ages, of relatively constant and life-friendly environmental conditions.

From a once seething, hellish mass of molten rock to the world that inhabits life today, take a rollercoaster ride through the entire history of Planet Earth. Its 4.5 billion year epic, a story of unimaginable timescales, earth-shattering forces, incredible life forms, radical climates and mass extinctions. Discover how the continents were formed, canyons were carved, and why the world's animals live where they do. That's where a bit of impressive CGI helps, we jump back 4.5 billion years to the planet’s birth out of the accretion of dust, gas, and meteoric bombardment into a molten sphere. About half a billion years in, after a crust solidifies, water overspreads the planet. No one is exactly sure where the water came from – there’re hints of extraterrestrial origins, though of the mundane variety. Then, about 3.5 billion years ago, an upsurge in underwater volcanic activity gives rise to proto-continents, formed out of granite

The DVD comes with impressive A/V Quality. But, I can't help but wonder what a boost to 1080p could've done for the visuals. The Dolby track is rather robust and it is showcased well during the CG recreations of major geological events. However, the lack of special features kills a lot of the replay value. Oh well, I'd recommend a rental for educational purposes.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!