marshallkarp
Contributor
I know this is an extreme fishing show, but I will review this from a videographer point of view. I've seen a few episodes of River Monsters on Animal Planet. I think this is an excellent example of very good film making.
First and foremost, each show tells a story. So many underwater videos are just clips with music, sometimes it is nice to hear an interesting story being told with words and video. At the other end are shows like Survivorman, which seem cobbled together to me. Don't get me wrong, I really like Les Stroud, watched every episode, and have learned a lot of video technique, but his method is shoot a lot of video and edit down to an hour show. River Monsters seems to have a coherency to me, like the show was planned from start to finish.
Second, each show is a mystery, which is actually or theoretically solved by program's end. Host Jeremy Wade is a biologist with a degree in Zoology from Bristol and I think he does an good job with giving simple biology lessons. The mysteries seem to surround tales of giant killer fish and some of the explanations hold up while some are some exaggerated tales of things that go splash in the night.
Third, the camera work and exotic locations is well done. Very good top side travelog and trip reports, useful for dive and vacation planning.
Fourth, this can be good or bad, the show does fall into the taking unnecessary risk for rating category. Sometimes it can keep you on the edge of your seat and sometimes you tell yourself, I would never do that. I will have to give Mr. Wade the benefit of the doubt here that he, his producers, and guides know what they are doing.
I think the only downside are the commercial bumps. They replay huge fish attacks going into and out of commercials, but I understand that they don't want you to touch that remote and stay tuned.
I think there is some merit to watching River Monsters for underwater videographers and one could get some technique and ideas, as well as ideas where to and where to not dive. Anyway, the essence of film making is story telling with interesting story, interesting characters. This show has both. I give it ***1/2.
First and foremost, each show tells a story. So many underwater videos are just clips with music, sometimes it is nice to hear an interesting story being told with words and video. At the other end are shows like Survivorman, which seem cobbled together to me. Don't get me wrong, I really like Les Stroud, watched every episode, and have learned a lot of video technique, but his method is shoot a lot of video and edit down to an hour show. River Monsters seems to have a coherency to me, like the show was planned from start to finish.
Second, each show is a mystery, which is actually or theoretically solved by program's end. Host Jeremy Wade is a biologist with a degree in Zoology from Bristol and I think he does an good job with giving simple biology lessons. The mysteries seem to surround tales of giant killer fish and some of the explanations hold up while some are some exaggerated tales of things that go splash in the night.
Third, the camera work and exotic locations is well done. Very good top side travelog and trip reports, useful for dive and vacation planning.
Fourth, this can be good or bad, the show does fall into the taking unnecessary risk for rating category. Sometimes it can keep you on the edge of your seat and sometimes you tell yourself, I would never do that. I will have to give Mr. Wade the benefit of the doubt here that he, his producers, and guides know what they are doing.
I think the only downside are the commercial bumps. They replay huge fish attacks going into and out of commercials, but I understand that they don't want you to touch that remote and stay tuned.
I think there is some merit to watching River Monsters for underwater videographers and one could get some technique and ideas, as well as ideas where to and where to not dive. Anyway, the essence of film making is story telling with interesting story, interesting characters. This show has both. I give it ***1/2.
