National Geographic: Journey to the Edge of the Universe (2008)

Pretty Good

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Whomever wrote the script for Alec Baldwin to read, should be fired. What a bunch of negative propaganda. However, the graphics were really good - but I'd rather see the Universe video that they have at the Science Museum. Much better and not so dooms- day type of feel. I was surprised that National Geographic would put their name to something like this. Very disappointed, but it would make for a good Mystery Science Theater movie... Also, the soundtrack was pretty good also. Main dispute was the message. Whomever wrote the script for Alec Baldwin to read, should be fired. What a bunch of negative propaganda. However, the graphics were really good - but I'd rather see the Universe video that they have at the Science Museum. Much better and not so dooms- day type of feel. I was surprised that National Geographic would put their name to something like this. Very disappointed, but it would make for a good Mystery Science Theater movie... Also, the soundtrack was pretty good also. Main dispute was the message.

It's so hard to find the words to express my extreme disappointment in this "docudrama". I call it that because the scriptwriter found it necessary to add "drama" to facts in order make it seem more interesting.If you're going to take me through the universe, give me the DATA, not how I'm supposed to "feel" about it.I often got the impression when watching this film that someone said, "Hey, Carl Sagan died in 1996 without an update to 'Cosmos', so let's make a Cosmos 'wow-alike' without a narrator that knows something about the subject matter." They even stole Sagan's "we are star-stuff" line.Oh yeah, spoiler.When you get to the edge of the universe, you'll witness the Big Bang.Scientifically ludicrous.The writer(s) obviously had space and time confused.Don't watch this with the idea that you'll learn anything.Instead, imagine that the 2001: Space Odyssey stargate sequence was (over)done with modern CGI and some Hubble-type imagery.In the 70's people used to go to 2001 just to be stoned and watch the sequence. That's about what this film is good for.The script even has the kind of vacuous insights that stoners get and think they're being profound.Pompous.I guess that's why they picked Alec Baldwin to narrate.

Walking into this title I was uncertain due to it's completely CGI approach to rendering the various celestial bodies that inhabit our universe. What I found was the animation and story telling absolutely wonderful. Alec Baldwin was good here with his subtle low voice adding a perfect match as we travel through the heavens.Bearing in mind I have my own views and ideas on origins, this film was still hands down an excellent production. The detailed descriptions of the various planets, stars, nebula, and black holes were all there. The best part about it is that they took you to those places-close up, in the comfort of your living room.I'm a big fan of shows like "The Universe" and other various science documentaries and I found this to be top notch. Sit back, grab a snack and a cold one and enjoy this fine flick. 5 out of 5 stars and an IMDb 10.

Anyone who watches this documentary and does not walk away feeling absolutely humbled or at the very least - completely blown away needs to re-evaluate their mind. This is just such a piece of work. I have seen countless documentaries on astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology etc. but nothing has even come close to delivering the idea that we live in a most amazing universe like this movie does. It also does so in a most unpatronising way - treating the viewer with mucho intelligence. Hey - this is not a review - just a comment that I had to make after watching this. I will look forward to watching this again and again. One should never tire of experiencing anything like this. Watch it - experience it - enjoy it and most of all - learn from it!! - J.R. Ortiz, England