Evolve: Season 1

Roadshow

R4 DVD

Evolve is a fun and entertaining way to explain the various aspects of evolution. Innovate or die. Evolve or face extinction. Examining every facet of a single trait, from origin to modern incarnation Evolve takes a very modern approach to teaching science and it works.

Every episode uses a combination of dramatizations, computer animations, live action nature footage and lab work. There are lots of great interviews and a good ratio of hard scientific information to presentation.

The series is 11 episodes long presented over 3 DVDs and includes eyes, sex, size, skin and lots more. The CGI and fastpaced presentation of the series is both a benefit and a drawback, at times I felt there was not enough hard evidence presented for the hypothesizes being offered, though I do appreciate the limits of a 45 minute episode. I also found the constant reuse of certain animations irritating, sure CGI is expensive but to use the same footage repeatedly actually reduces the attention span of the person watching.

Evolve, however, does achieve its goal in bringing the latest discoveries in evolutionary theories to the widest possible audience. There are some truly fascinating discussions about dinosaur skin, the significance of running within the development of the human body, the increase in height in sex selection and more. There is more than enough in this series to keep you challenging for quite a while. The package is aimed at a general audience but at the same time would work well for teens even younger teens and hence is invaluable for sharing science with a new generation.

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This review will appear in Volume 3 No. 6 of the digital and print edition of Synergy.

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