I’m a movie addict, and generally can’t stand most things on television, but I do admit that when I’m feeling tired or depressed, I will kill time with whatever I find on TV. I happened to stumble upon a four-part series on the BBC channel called “Wonders of the Universe,” and I’m happy I did so.
Hosted by narrator Brian Cox, the series delves into physics, astronomy, cosmology and overall science. Besides astronomy and cosmology, which never was taught in my high school, I never had much interest or use for science in terms of study. Biology and chemistry classes hold no memories for me beyond getting D’s for not properly submitting a lab report. And thus, I was extremely surprised when I found myself becoming fascinated with the concepts Cox talks about in this series, not to mention that I actually understood what he was talking about.
No matter what the subject matter is, often audiences get turned off from programs like this due to the narrator, who is usually someone famous with an imposing voice, or a professor who lectures babble to you. Cox’s theories are accessible and informative, and not once does the physicist come off as arrogant or boring. His narration is steadily-paced and easy-to-follow without losing the essential details and wonder of the big picture. Cox is in genuine awe, even giddy like a child when he discusses these theories, and thus, the audience not only pays attention to his words, but becomes fascinated with the subject matter as well.
Best of all, we have a face to match the voice as we journey with Cox to the various destinations which give support to his concepts- there are virtually no diagrams or overly-computerized images here that will make you lose interest. The images that are used are surreal, trippy and beautiful, and look very close to the real thing. Cox gives breath-taking, in-person views from places like Victoria Falls in Africa and the 13 Towers Sun Citadel in Peru. The points he makes are supported by simple in-person experiments, such as the episode in which he throws different elements upon a fire to portray ideas related to heat, color and light.
Overall, I recommend “Wonders of the Universe” to anyone who is interested in universal origins and universal ends, without having a flashback of high school science class.
“When we look out into space, we are looking into our own origins, because we are truly children of the stars. And written into every atom and molecule in our bodies is the entire history of our universe.”