Prehistoric Planet (2022) Accuracy Review (Part 1/2) | Dino Documentaries RANKED #28

Red Raptor Writes
10 Feb 202319:42
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script is a detailed review of the docu-series 'Prehistoric Planet', which has garnered significant anticipation due to its modern approach to paleontology. Hosted by David Attenborough, the series is praised for its adherence to updated scientific views on dinosaur biology and behavior, featuring impressive CGI, an excellent score by Hans Zimmer, and naturalistic portrayals of these creatures. The review highlights the show's success in depicting dinosaur growth and development, the diversity of pterosaurs, and the attention to detail in their design and behavior. While the series has been lauded for its accuracy and educational content, the reviewer also points out areas of speculation and some inaccuracies, promising a follow-up video to delve into these aspects further.

Takeaways
  • 📺 The docu-series 'Prehistoric Planet' on Apple TV+ is a five-part series narrated by David Attenborough, focusing on life at the end of the Cretaceous period with new paleontological discoveries and improved special effects.
  • 🦖 The series portrays dinosaurs with modern paleontological views, showing them as actual animals with natural behaviors, avoiding the anthropomorphism seen in some past documentaries.
  • 🎨 The CGI and design of the creatures are praised for their accuracy and attention to detail, with special mention of the Tyrannosaurus and Mosasaurus as particularly well-executed.
  • 🌊 The series includes scenes of dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus swimming, which, despite being probable, are rarely shown in paleo media.
  • 🦕 'Prehistoric Planet' features a variety of dinosaur behaviors, including Triceratops eating clay and Therizinosaurus attempting to get honey, offering a fresh perspective beyond typical hunting scenes.
  • 🧠 The documentary explores the possibility of dinosaur intelligence, with some debate on how much non-avian dinosaurs may have shared cognitive traits with modern birds.
  • 🦈 The portrayal of Mosasaurus as a marine predator is a highlight, with detailed physical features and behaviors that align with current scientific understanding.
  • 🦆 The growth and development of dinosaurs, such as Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus, are shown accurately, reflecting their changing appearance and abilities as they mature.
  • 🥚 Pterosaurs are depicted with soft-shelled eggs and social behaviors, including nesting and colony formation, which aligns with recent fossil evidence.
  • 🦜 The series includes a significant focus on pterosaurs, with detailed portrayals of their diversity and unique characteristics, although some viewers might have preferred more variety in other dinosaur groups.
  • ⏳ The portrayal of dinosaurs as thriving just before the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event challenges the notion that they were already in decline, presenting a vibrant and diverse ecosystem.
Q & A

  • What is the title of the documentary series discussed in the transcript?

    -The title of the documentary series is 'Prehistoric Planet'.

  • Who is the host and narrator of 'Prehistoric Planet'?

    -David Attenborough is the host and narrator of 'Prehistoric Planet'.

  • What is the main focus of the 'Prehistoric Planet' series?

    -The series focuses on life in different ecosystems at the end of the Cretaceous period, 66 million years ago.

  • What are some of the features that make 'Prehistoric Planet' stand out in terms of accuracy?

    -The series stands out for its attention to updated views on paleobiology, morphology, ontogeny, and ecology, as well as its use of new paleontological discoveries and improved special effects.

  • How does the portrayal of dinosaurs in 'Prehistoric Planet' differ from traditional paleo media?

    -The portrayal in 'Prehistoric Planet' shows dinosaurs as actual animals acting in natural ways, avoiding unrealistic or anthropomorphic behaviors, and presenting them in a more believable and naturalistic light.

  • What is the significance of the CGI and scoring in 'Prehistoric Planet'?

    -The near-flawless CGI and Hans Zimmer's excellent scoring add to the overall quality and immersive experience of the documentary, complementing the narrative and visuals.

  • What is the role of speculation in the series, and how is it generally handled?

    -Speculation in the series is generally grounded and believable, based on behaviors found in analogous animals with similar niches and plausible extrapolations from fossil evidence.

  • How does 'Prehistoric Planet' handle the portrayal of feathered dinosaurs?

    -The series uses feathers and picnofibers appropriately, neither over-feathering nor under-feathering the dinosaurs, reflecting a more accurate and evolving understanding of dinosaur physiology.

  • What is the significance of the portrayal of pterosaurs in the series?

    -The series provides a diverse and detailed portrayal of pterosaurs, including their growth, social behaviors, and nesting habits, which are supported by fossil evidence.

  • How does 'Prehistoric Planet' address the common misconception that dinosaurs and pterosaurs were dying out before the meteor strike?

    -The series refutes this idea by showcasing a wide variety of pterosaur species and emphasizing their biodiversity, which is supported by the vast amounts of pterosaur material found in places like Morocco.

  • What are some of the notable design aspects of the dinosaurs featured in 'Prehistoric Planet'?

    -Notable design aspects include the accurate portrayal of Tyrannosaurus with features like keratinous bumps and leathery skin, the detailed depiction of Mosasaurus with counter shading and a forked tongue, and the lifelike representation of Triceratops at various stages of growth.

Outlines
00:00
🎥 Introduction to 'Prehistoric Planet' Series

The first paragraph introduces the 'Prehistoric Planet' series, a highly anticipated five-part docu-series available on Apple TV+. It is hosted by David Attenborough and covers life in various ecosystems during the Cretaceous period, 66 million years ago. The series is praised for its accuracy in paleobiology, morphology, ontogeny, and ecology, as well as for its high-quality CGI, music score by Hans Zimmer, and Attenborough's narration. The paragraph also discusses the realistic portrayal of dinosaurs as animals with natural behaviors, rather than anthropomorphic or overly dramatized characters.

05:00
🦖 Dinosaur Behaviors and Speculation in the Series

The second paragraph delves into the speculative aspects of the series, emphasizing that most of the conjectures are grounded and believable, drawing from behaviors observed in analogous animals and plausible extrapolations from fossil evidence. It highlights the portrayal of various dinosaur species, such as Tyrannosaurus, Mosasaurus, Therizinosaurus, and Triceratops, engaging in naturalistic behaviors like swimming, social interactions, and dietary habits. The paragraph also touches on the issue of anthropomorphism and the importance of keeping the portrayals scientifically plausible.

10:01
🦕 Design and Portrayal of Dinosaur Species

The third paragraph focuses on the design and portrayal of various dinosaur species in the series. It commends the series for its accurate and detailed depictions of dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus, Mosasaurus, Therizinosaurus, and Pterosaurs. The paragraph discusses the design choices made for each species, such as the physical features, behaviors, and ecological roles, and how they align with current paleontological understanding. It also mentions the portrayal of pterosaurs and the attention to detail in their anatomy and behavior.

15:03
🦆 Growth and Development in Dinosaurs

The fourth paragraph discusses the representation of growth and development in dinosaurs, as depicted in the series. It provides an overview of how dinosaurs like Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus are shown to change from juvenile to adult stages, reflecting actual fossil evidence and scientific understanding of dinosaur ontogeny. The paragraph also covers the depiction of pterosaurs, including the presentation of their eggs and nesting behaviors, and how these align with recent discoveries and the portrayal of pterosaur diversity.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Prehistoric Planet
Prehistoric Planet is a five-part docu-series that released on Apple TV+. It is hosted and narrated by David Attenborough and covers life in different ecosystems at the end of the Cretaceous period, 66 million years ago. The series is praised for its adherence to modern paleontological views and for its high-quality CGI and scoring by Hans Zimmer. It is central to the video's theme as it serves as the primary subject of discussion and analysis.
💡Paleobiology
Paleobiology is the study of the biology of past life, including the evolution, morphology, and ecology of prehistoric organisms. In the context of the video, the creators of Prehistoric Planet are commended for paying attention to updated views on paleobiology, which is crucial for the accurate portrayal of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. The script mentions that the series avoids outdated perceptions and instead presents creatures as they might have been in reality.
💡CGI
CGI, or Computer-Generated Imagery, refers to the creation of images or animations using computer technology. It is a key element in the production of Prehistoric Planet, as the series employs near-flawless CGI to bring prehistoric creatures to life. The high-quality CGI is one of the reasons the series is considered one of the best in its genre, as it allows for a more realistic and immersive depiction of the prehistoric world.
💡David Attenborough
David Attenborough is a renowned British broadcaster and natural historian, known for his work in nature documentaries. In Prehistoric Planet, he serves as the host and narrator, providing the voiceover that guides viewers through the prehistoric world. His involvement adds a level of credibility and gravitas to the series, and his narration style is a significant part of the viewing experience.
💡Mosasaurus
Mosasaurus is a genus of large marine reptiles that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. In the video, the portrayal of Mosasaurus in Prehistoric Planet is highlighted as being particularly well-done, with attention to detail such as body shape, coloration, and behavior. The script mentions the creature's depiction as an example of the high quality of the series' creature designs.
💡Pterosaurs
Pterosaurs are a group of winged reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic Era. The video discusses the representation of pterosaurs in Prehistoric Planet, noting the attention to their growth, behavior, and nesting habits. The series is praised for its accurate portrayal of pterosaur anatomy and the inclusion of soft-shelled eggs, which aligns with fossil evidence.
💡Paleontological Theories
Paleontological theories refer to the scientific explanations and hypotheses about the life and behavior of prehistoric organisms based on fossil evidence. The video emphasizes that Prehistoric Planet brings modern paleontological theories to the forefront, reshaping the way prehistoric creatures are viewed. This is significant as it moves away from outdated portrayals and aligns with current scientific understanding.
💡Anthropomorphism
Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to non-human entities. The video criticizes the practice of anthropomorphizing prehistoric creatures, as seen in some other documentaries and media. Prehistoric Planet is praised for striking a balance between showing the animals as natural creatures and avoiding overly human-like characteristics.
💡Growth and Development
The growth and development of prehistoric creatures is a focus in the video, with examples given of how dinosaurs like Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus changed as they aged. The series is commended for accurately depicting these changes, which is important for a more scientifically accurate portrayal of these animals' life cycles.
💡Speculation in Paleo Media
Speculation in paleo media refers to the assumptions and creative interpretations made by filmmakers and artists when depicting prehistoric life, where direct fossil evidence is lacking. The video discusses both good and bad speculation, with the series being praised for its grounded and believable speculation, such as the behavior of Carnotaurus, which is extrapolated from analogous animals and fossil evidence.
💡Feathering and Pterosaur Coats
The presence of feathers and coats of picnofibers (hair-like filaments) in dinosaurs and pterosaurs is a topic in the video. Prehistoric Planet is noted for its accurate use of these features, neither over-feathering nor under-feathering the creatures, which aligns with current scientific debates on the presence of such features in prehistoric animals.
Highlights

Prehistoric Planet is a five-part docu-series released on Apple TV+, narrated by David Attenborough, covering life in different ecosystems at the end of the Cretaceous period.

The series incorporates a decade of new paleontological discoveries and improved special effects.

Attention to detail is paid to updated views on paleobiology, morphology, ontogeny, and ecology, differing from prior content.

High praise is given for the realistic portrayal of Mesozoic creatures as actual animals with natural behaviors, contrasting with common paleo media.

Innovative CGI and Hans Zimmer's scoring, along with Attenborough's narration, are highlighted as key components of the series' success.

Speculation in the series is considered well-grounded and believable, with behaviors found in analogous animals and plausible extrapolations from fossil evidence.

The portrayal of Tyrannosaurus and other dinosaurs, such as Mosasaurus, is considered the best seen on screen, with accurate and detailed design.

The series avoids anthropomorphizing subjects and instead focuses on animalistic behaviors, striking a balance between monstrous and tame portrayals.

Pterosaurs are given significant screen time, with a focus on their diversity and accurate portrayal of their physical attributes and behaviors.

The growth and development of dinosaurs, such as Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus, are depicted with attention to their changing physical characteristics.

Soft-shelled pterosaur eggs and evidence of pterosaur colonies are accurately represented, based on fossil findings.

The series is applauded for its modern paleontological theories that reshape the way prehistoric creatures are viewed, moving away from outdated portrayals.

The portrayal of feathering and skin textures in dinosaurs is noted for its accuracy and avoidance of over-feathering.

The series is seen as a much-needed update for the paleo community, which had been stuck with inaccurate 90s-era portrayals.

Despite the praise, there are some speculative elements, such as the inflatable neck balloons of some dinosaurs, which are considered a stretch by some viewers.

The series has reignited discussions within the paleo community, with some debate over certain speculative behaviors and portrayals.

Prehistoric Planet is seen as a significant contribution to the genre of dinosaur documentaries, with potential to influence future educational content and paleoart.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

The Scientific Accuracy of Walking With Dinosaurs - Episode 6: Death of a Dynasty

Paleontologist Rates 10 Dinosaur Scenes In Movies And TV | How Real Is It? | Insider

Palaeontologist Thomas Halliday breaks down dinosaur films

Scientific Issues: Jurassic Park - Part 2

Paleontologist Reviews Dinosaur Movie Scenes | Vanity Fair

Scientific Issues: Jurassic Park - Part 1

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating:

Related Tags
Prehistoric PlanetDavid AttenboroughPaleontologyDinosaur BehaviorCretaceous EcosystemCGI DinosaursNatural HistoryApple TV+Dino DocumentariesMosasaurusPterosaursTherizinosaurus