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- 2015
- National Geographic
- 2015
- National Geographic
Summary The six-part series features focuses on the latest research in science with each episode by a different director and narrator that includes Peter Berg, Brett Ratner and Adrien Brody, Paul Giamatti, Ron Howard, Akiva Goldsman and Jason Bateman, and Angela Bassett.
- 2015
- National Geographic
- 2015
- National Geographic
Breakthrough
Season 1 Premiere: Nov 1, 2015
66
8.5
Where to Watch
Summary The six-part series features focuses on the latest research in science with each episode by a different director and narrator that includes Peter Berg, Brett Ratner and Adrien Brody, Paul Giamatti, Ron Howard, Akiva Goldsman and Jason Bateman, and Angela Bassett.
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 5 Critic Reviews
66
60% Positive
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
40% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 5 Critic Reviews
66
60% Positive
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
40% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Much of this sounds grim, but Breakthrough is anything but depressing in its overall tone. After putting towering problems into chilling perspective, the series humanizes the issues, keeping the focus on individual stories.
Prominent entertainment figures direct programs on six scientific challenges facing the world, and the results are interesting enough. They’re just not especially revolutionary, unlike some of the work they document.
The breakthroughs described in National Geographic Channel’s ambitious six-part series aren’t all equal in promise or tone.
As the introductory hour demonstrates, there’s only so much a director can do with this kind of material, and certain efforts to make it more accessible risk becoming risible. Simply put, it’s hard to make some of this stuff exciting, no matter how beautiful the animation is, or how artfully one shoots the drips of blood generated by an outbreak of Ebola.... Judged strictly on its merits, the hours are perfectly respectable.
When the filmmakers get to showcase a true personal investment in the subject matter, the episodes really shine. When the directors approach the subject from a distance, what you get is a by-the-numbers NatGeo special, which isn't a bad thing, but plays as really disappointing given the names involved here. From this batch, examples of the latter outnumber the former, with only one installment that's truly worth seeking out.
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 4 User Ratings
8.5
75% Positive
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
25% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 4 User Ratings
8.5
75% Positive
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
25% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Production Company:
- Imagine Entertainment
- National Geographic Channel
- General Electric (GE)
- Asylum Entertainment
Initial Release Date: Nov 1, 2015
Number of seasons: 2 Seasons
Genres:
Awards
Gracie Allen Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Primetime Emmy Awards
• 1 Nomination
