dan-2291 In an age where fundamentalism is on the rise and science is under attack - its is documentaries like these that should inspire imaginations and help the layman to appreciate the depth and breadth of science. Instead, this whole documentary skips over the real good stuff and focuses on doomsday scenarios...constantly! Countless times Sam would talk about an aspect of space and then somehow find a way to link it to the end of the world...then comes the dramatic music and a 3D model of the Earth blowing up.Incredible shame that someone like the BBC with its financial means and influence would resort to a Macdonalds wrapped sensationalist piece of garbage devoid of real science. Think I will stick to PBS for 'real' science documentaries from now on. Don't bother with this tripe!

jlpicard1701E Also known as "Space", this is a masterpiece of a documentary. It is for all ages and explains in simple terms, the origins of our universe and our future in space, passing through every kind of known and unknown phenomenon, here on Earth or elsewhere.Sam Neill ("Event Horizon", "Jurassic Park", "Merlin") takes you by the hand and through a holographic projector "launches" you into an adventure that spans various billions of years.BBC has outdone itself in this documentary."Cosmos", hosted by Carl Sagan, was a unique milestone in explaining the Universe. It also was a masterpiece in its genre. "Hyperspace" is nothing else than its natural successor.I loved every minute of it and I kept it running and running in my DVD player until I almost memorized the data.The 3D recreations of galaxies, stars, planets and stellar phenomena are hauntingly realistic and offer a firework of the highest CGI design I have ever witnessed in a documentary of this sort.Sam Neill is a fascinating, talented and multi-faceted actor and could manage to convince you to walk on water. With his suave and debonnaire way, he manages to explain science in such a way, that even the most unaware person would accept and understand.All in all, if you are a documentary collector, or simply somebody who loves astronomy and space travel, you will have to own it.But careful! If you watch it once, you may wish to watch it again. It is highly addictive. Consult a doctor for any counter-indication.

Lechuguilla Also called "Hyperspace", this three hour BBC astronomy documentary, hosted by Sam Neill, consists of six self-contained topical programs, each one about 30 minutes in length: (1) Star Stuff, (2)Staying Alive, (3) Black Holes, (4) Are We Alone...?, (5) New Worlds, and (6) Boldly Go.The photography, visual effects, and computer graphics are stunning. And the sound effects and music are appropriately cosmic. All of which combine to create a production that entertains, and encourages interest in space exploration.That said, "Space" did not tell me anything I did not already know. There's very little in the documentary that has not been described or explained elsewhere. For adults who keep up with advances in astronomy, these six programs provide only a rehash of current knowledge, in layman's terms.Overall, "Space" is a technically well-made program, suited especially to kids, as well as to adults who are new to astronomy.

Busifer Another astounding BBC achievement, this series is a gift to all of us who are fascinated in space, and what's beyond. Sometimes it borders on Trek-ishness, but I don't care, because it bravely does the same thing as does Star Trek (at least Next Gen) - it dares us to the marvels of space, and of mankind, and it tells us that we are all alike and from the same seed. A small sparkling promise that all futures not have to be blackened with greed and hatred; a light in these truly Dark Ages. Of course I know very well that this isn't on the series agenda, but I can't help but see it that way. And I'm sure that a lot of the "space crazies" out there share my feelings on this. If you're one of them (us!) - don't miss this show!