By: BBC Video

I love dinosaurs. I mean, who doesn't? When the famed BBC production documenting some of the largest and fierciest creatures ever to grace the Earth first aired on the Discovery Channel, millions tuned in. Now on glorious DVD, you can own all six episodes plus a 50 minute 'making of' documentary, all packed onto two DVDs.

The first DVD contains the six episodes, exactly as they aired on television. Each episode is dedicated to a certain period in the time of dinosaurs (triassic, durassic, cretaceous), and follows a 'storyline'. There are no interviews with paleontologists or fossil analyses; Walking With Dinosaurs mimics a form of naturalistic observation, (with narration by Kenneth Branagh) much in the same way as any nature show.

But of course, dinosaurs don't exist anymore, so Walking With Dinosaurs features incredibly realistic computer animation and animatronics. The dinosaurs splash in the water, strip leaves on branches, and kick up clouds of dust; watch as muscle and bone flex perfectly under their skin as they walk. Additional never-before-seen footage and information is presented in a special picture-in-picture feature, exclusive to the DVD.

But Walking With Dinosaurs isn't all show; the BBC production is one of the most comprehensive gatherings of dinosaur information to date. Although the producers had to make inferences about the dinosaurs' behavior (as you'll see in the making-of documentary), they are even careful to present different points of view currently in debate. Just watch the segment on the extinction of the dinosaurs.

The picture quality in Walking With Dinosaurs is astounding. The detail of the dinosaurs and surrounding environments is razor sharp. The thousands of shades of green and wispy fog make the documentary all the more life-like and believable. If you really want to showcase your home theater, this is the way to do it.

My only gripe involves the sound. While the sound effects and narration are crystal clear, it is only presented in 2 channel sound. No 5.1 Dolby Surround? No Dolby Digital? A darn shame, especially with the picture as good as it is.

Nagging aside, the Walking With Dinosaurs DVD is an essential addition to your collection. The storyline style appeals to all ages, whether you have a casual interest or an unruly fascination for dinosaurs. Combined with the brilliant picture and sound, and the kind of quality only possible by the BBC, Walking With Dinosaurs is truly a treat for the senses, as well as the mind.

ASY
King