The Americas, narrated by Tom Hanks, is an extravagant nature documentary series that showcases stunning footage from New England to Patagonia. Despite its impressive production values and extensive filming efforts, the series feels familiar and lacks genuine depth, often opting for cutesy anthropomorphism over a critical exploration of nature's realities. The depiction of wildlife, while visually captivating, fails to address humanity's environmental impact, leaving viewers with surface-level entertainment rather than a meaningful understanding of the natural world.
This 10-parter talks up its credentials as something new and different: five years in the making, gathered over 180 separate expeditions, capturing discoveries which have never been on camera before, the most expensive unscripted project ever made by NBC (via BBC Studios).
It favours cutesy anthropomorphism and spectacular visuals over any honest assessment of nature and the environment as a whole. There is little brutality, barely any peril.
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