The BIG Aquarium

A smart program for young minds. (Fun for adults, too).
I've always appreciated that this series doesn't dumb its subject matter down. The Big Aquarium is no exception. Shot on location at the Tennessee Aquarium, this feature is entertaining and educational. Unlike many kids programs, there are no humans in goofy costumes, no singing and no precious moments. The animals are the stars. They aren't sensationalized as "The world's deadliest" or "Amazing killing machines", just as fascinating creatures from around the world. My son loved this when he was four and five years old, and he (actually, we) watched it over and over.

Mediocare fare for sealife loving kids.
Although this video could have been worse and my 2 1/2 year old enjoys it, the parent-tedium factor for this production is high. Tape tracking quality is fairly poor so images move gently back and forth, but if that doesn't bother you the clarity of the image is otherwise good. What made me give this production 3 stars is the lack of information given about the animals in contrast to the boring and lackluster interviews of the aquarium staff. For example, although the show spends alot of time on jellyfish, you never really find out what a jellyfish IS. However you do find out that one worker "never wakes up in the morning not wanting to go to work"-based in the staff's overall inteviews why is it that I remain unconvinced?

It's like visiting the Tenn Aquarium
This video is meant to be about an aquarium not just animals of the sea. My 3 year old son and I enjoyed learning about the staff and what makes an aquarium work. It also gives you information about the fish and animals at this aquarium and we do know alot about a jellyfish now. At first I was disappointed that there was not more information about the ocean but then I realized that was not the focus of this fun children's video.

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