Our Universe is a six-part docu-series that revolves around nature, and its connection with the entire cosmos, along with an array of science and wonders. The documentary is narrated by Academy Award Winning actor Morgan Freeman (Shawshank Redemption, Now You See Me) and is directed by Noami Austin, Stephen Cooter, and Alice Jones. Moreover, the average length of each episode is 45 minutes.
The stunning visuals of the nature-based doc are captured by acclaimed cinematographer David Baillie, while Ben Lavington Martin, Sam Billinge, Graeme Dawson, and Darren Jonusas head the editing department. Moreover, the music is composed by Jessica Jones and Anne Nikitin.
-Our Universe Review Does Not Contain Spoilers-
The brilliant docu-series starts with the first episode “Chasing Starlight”, set in the beautiful plains of Serengeti, about a female Cheetah and her constant hunting routine to feed the hungry baby cubs. Moreover, it soon interconnects the predator with the cosmical identity, and ventures into the single most essential source of existence-The Sun.
This sets a locked pattern for the series, with each episode relating the unique elements of nature and the visceral entities of our universe. For instance, the rest of the episodes connect a Chimpanzee’s birth cycle to that of a cosmical chapter, a sea turtle’s hunch to our ancestral star, and the life-sustaining gravity of our planet to the everlasting love of Penguins.
The concept is remarkably fresh and works well in explaining the relationship between the smallest living cell, to the largest floating rock in the solar system. Furthermore, it didn’t take me long enough to feel the hypnotic effect that these nature-based documentaries tend to have. In fact, at one point, during the Wildebeest migration segment, I was in absolute awe of the visuals, and couldn’t think of anything else.
Even though I have watched numerous Morgan Freeman narrative features in the past, the 85-year-old actor has something enigmatic in his voice, that makes each of them incredibly different. Each word is so carefully drafted, that you can feel the rhythm shift along with the moving soundtrack. There is absolutely no doubt why he gets to be the obvious choice for such projects.
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The series has the power to induce a calming effect on your mind, and take you on a referential journey, which will make you realize just how little we actually contribute to this universal process. Simplistically, It’s a domino effect of replacement, which we often take for granted in our lives.
Right from the soul-satisfying visuals, to the highly expressive soundtrack, nearly everything is spot on in the series. However, the transition between the raw and real wildness, and the special effect generated atoms, feels a little overdone. If you are on a binging streak, it might interrupt the well-developed chain of thoughts, a couple of times.
Our Universe Final Thoughts
The series makes you think hard about your individual place in the entire cosmos and definitely excels in co-relating the subject matter. Moreover, if you love the idea of Penguins finding their soulmates, then Our universe is a must-watch.
You can stream the docu-series on Netflix. Let us know your thoughts about it in the comment section below.
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I just finished this series and absolutely loved it…the narration by Morgan was Perfect….Being reminded and Educated how the Earth came to be….And life itself today ……
I just finished binge watching the series. Freeman’s narration is about as good as possible. The visuals are stunning. Naming the various animals provides a more personal connection to their story. Both the animated visuals of atoms & elements as well as constant reference to them gets tedious with the binge method of viewing. One glaring flaw is the jump from all the necessary elements for life being present and the sudden presence of life, with absolutely No reference as to how this may have occurred! Scientists tend to gloss over this vital question. Even though they cannot provide a definitive answer to this question, the writers should, at least, make reference to this, as yet, unanswered question by science. Reminds me of the cartoon where a man in a white lab coat is working at a chalk board covered with complex equations & chemical reactions, the last of which is, “& then a miracle occurs” leading to “Life”.