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Summary: Patrick Stewart Takes You on a State of the Art Voyage
Review: A sensational effort by Director Don Barrett and Star Patrick Stewart takes you on an updated tour of the Solar System, including Tomita's sensational soundtrack remastered from the original quadraphonic in Dolby 5.1 - Don't miss this best bet.
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Summary: Do Not Engage! Do Not Make It So! Resistance Is Not Futile!
Review: An award winning title from Director Don Barrett, this dvd improves upon the original VHS version. This is the largest selling documentary space title in history and for good reason. The music, Patrick Stewart's superb dramatic narration, and the fantastic computer generated imagery. This is as close as any of us will ever come to exploring the Solar System. It's artistic, stylish, and just plain wonderful.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Own DVD for Anybody Interested in Space
Review: An award winning title from Director Don Barrett, this dvd improves upon the original VHS version. This is the largest selling documentary space title in history and for good reason. The music, Patrick Stewart's superb dramatic narration, and the fantastic computer generated imagery. This is as close as any of us will ever come to exploring the Solar System. It's artistic, stylish, and just plain wonderful.
Rating:
Summary: The Planets Epoch 2000 From the Horses Mouth
Review: As the person who created this video I want to clear up some incorrect information circulating about it. First, the animation. Much of it is dated, but this is not only the story of the solar system, but of our attempt to learn of its mysteries. Second, the audio. I have read reviews that the audio is analog and only 2 channel. That is incorrect. I was in the THX certified dubbing bay, when the transfer from Tomita's original 4 channel quadraphonic was made. Everything was done in the digital domain. As for the viewer who complained that Patrick Stewart's voice was too loud for her taste, I recommend she turn down the center channel on which his voice is isolated. This is a true Dolby 5.1 mix done by one of the finest mixers in the world, Bob Michaels of The Enterprise. These are the facts. So called experts, you have been advised.
Rating:
Summary: The Planets Epoch 2000 From the Horses Mouth
Review: As the person who created this video I want to clear up some incorrect information circulating about it. First, the animation. Much of it is dated, but this is not only the story of the solar system, but of our attempt to learn of its mysteries. Second, the audio. I have read reviews that the audio is analog and only 2 channel. That is incorrect. I was in the THX certified dubbing bay, when the transfer from Tomita's original 4 channel quadraphonic was made. Everything was done in the digital domain. As for the viewer who complained that Patrick Stewart's voice was too loud for her taste, I recommend she turn down the center channel on which his voice is isolated. This is a true Dolby 5.1 mix done by one of the finest mixers in the world, Bob Michaels of The Enterprise. These are the facts. So called experts, you have been advised.
Rating:
Summary: Do Not Engage! Do Not Make It So! Resistance Is Not Futile!
Review: Even though Patrick Stewart could make the phone book sound like Shakespeare, even he cannot save this DVD. While informationally rich, the sci-fi quality computer generated graphics (such as those found on Mr. Stewart's former TV gig) are SORELY lacking. Instead, the viewer is given a few NASA simulations which are good, and far too many 50's-era spacey illustrations--which are not.To go to the trouble of having sci-fi's most famous face (& scalp!) involved in this project, one would have hoped for comparable graphics. Stellar Cartography, anyone?...
Rating: 
Summary: Marred by poor video quality
Review: First, let me say that I really like this DVD. The scientific material is excellent and I love Tomita's version of the Holst symphonies. The problem is with the video quality. It would appear that the culprit is a combination of poor source material and really bad mpeg encoding. Hopefully it will be re-released in a cleaned up version with the option to turn off the narration so that Tomita's music can be enjoyed.
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Summary: A Fabulous Documentary that's Misunderstood by Some
Review: I can't believe some of the reviews about this magnificent documentary. First someone says it's amateurish. Well, the guy that made it has won 5 video of the year awards from the American Film Institute, TV Guide and Billboard Magazines. This particular video was listed by the University of Kentucky as one of the 75 best films for the humanities of the 20th century. Then there are those who think Patrick Stewart overacted. Patrick's voice perfectly mirrors the music. What these reviewers fail to see is this is a breakthrough documentary cast as a dramatically narrated long form music video. It is currently in over 2500 school systems and has sold more copies than Cosmos. Give me a break. You've spent too much time watching the garbage on the Discovery Channel to know a true work of art, which this is. Oh yes, regarding the audio, on a properly maxed out sound system, it ranks with the best sound I've ever heard. If Patrick Stewart is too loud for one's individual taste, they can turn down the center channel where he is perfectly isolated. Bass? Listen to the blast off sequence with a subwoofer and your room will shake. There I've said it and I'm glad.
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Summary: Newer is not better
Review: I've always found this topic irrestible; what could be better than NASA, Patrick Stewart, and Tomita all together? And on DVD with 5.1 surround, overwhelming, I thought. I was first introduced to this mixture via the VHS version in 92 or 93 and thought it was a peak experience. I am sorry to say that I am disappointed in this version, and am now looking for the older VHS tape, which I thought was much better. I found that most of the 5.1 sound coming out of the rear speakers was distracting, and the new, enhanced footage not in keeping with the original. Also, I wanted to hear Tomita, not a very loud Patrick Stewart, and the bass seemed to be lacking in the soundtrack. SO, back to VHS for me....
Rating: 
Summary: Patrick Stewart Narrates "The Planets"
Review: It's very, very good but it needs 5.1. There's no point watching/listening on an ordinary TV or stereo. There's no region coding. It plays fine on a region 2 player.
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