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WONDERS OF MUSEUMS, THE

This is a fascinating educational program about two people (Xianghan and Pierre) who go to a museum to learn new stuff. In this show, they visit the Berlin Historical Museum where they learn about dinosaurs, birds and more. It is very well done, although it is in a different language with sub-titles, which move very fast. It is very educational if you can read the sub-titles quickly enough. The camera shots are well done with interesting camera angles. I found the Berlin Historical Museum very interesting. The music is very suitable. The two people play themselves. Xianghan stands out the most because she is dressed so cutely. Its theme is: Learning is fun and cool. You should know that it does contain some profanity. I learned too much to even put on here. I especially like when they go to the archives. Pierre is a well-known YouTuber. I give this 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18. Reviewed by Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

This is a show about the joys of visiting a museum. You follow the presenters as they check various exhibits & get to see the work behind the scenes where they meet people who work there. The presenters are extremely enthusiastic about the subject which makes you want to watch right from the start. The combination of interesting facts to go along with the exhibits shown is very engaging. It shows how much there is to learn from museums. I like way the presenters treat the viewing in similar way to perhaps a child would view items. The whole story, whether viewing or looking at the behind the scenes work of the museum, moves along in a clear and understandable way. The camera work follows closely the presenters, giving the viewer the feeling they are walking with them. The angles help to show the size of larger exhibits viewed and close-ups allow easy viewing of smaller objects. On a couple of occasions, the view is slightly darker than would be ideal, but again that does help the viewer feel what the inside of the museum is like. Also the subtitles are at bottom of the screen and are not intrusive or impacting to the viewer. The presenters dress in casual wear, similar to most kids would wear and thus helps keep the format of a exciting day out. The sets are effectively the main areas of the museum that the public sees, these are chosen well, helping give an understanding of the inside of a the building and how exhibits are displayed. The behind the scenes visit helps show the technical side of the work. Additionally the scenes in the catalogue rooms help bring to life the vastness of the collections. The music at the beginning helps build excitement to viewing the episode. It clearly portrays this is going to be entertaining. The two main presenters really work well and are incredibly enthusiastic, which helps engage the viewer. Both come across as genuinely interested in the things they learn along the way. They show amazement and also respect the exhibits and the museum, making the trip fun but educational at same time. I think the title explains the message ideally. The messages are: Museums are fun to visit, do an important job and there is plenty of stuff to learn - so plan a visit. I actually learned a really interesting fact about dinosaur teeth that I was truly amazed by. The way the experts explain details of their research gives plenty of food for thought. I can imagine if I was watching with my kids much discussion would be created by these insights. I certainly felt I should plan a museum trip this summer with them.

My favorite, but also most poignant scene, is when the taxidermist shows the catalogue of extinct birds. Both producer and director have won awards for their work previously in various countries. I heartily give this 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18 plus adults.

It is just so interesting. Viewing makes you want to learn more and see more episodes. The facts are well presented and I imagine kids will be engaged from the start. This would be suitable for a KIDS FIRST! Film Festival for an educational component. Don't get me wrong, it is also quite entertaining. Reviewed by Richard L., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror

Expand your horizons with The Wonders of Museums. The Wonders of Museums is an eight part series profiling museums in seven international cities: Taipei, Taichung, Singapore, Okinawa, Kyoto, Berlin, and Belfast. Audiences both young and old will enjoy an unforgettable journey through these family friendly exhibits. This season includes: The Berlin Museum of Natural History, The Titanic Museum in Northern Ireland, The Kyoto Railway Museum, The Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa, The Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, The Singapore Zoo, The National Taiwan Museum, and The National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung.While The Wonders of Museums features world-class destinations, each travel documentary is also infused with the educational merits of each institution. These include painstaking efforts to uncover human history and to document the course of human evolution (Natural History Museum); the human ingenuity that utilized the railway, a marvel of the Industrial Revolution, to expand our perceptions and experiences (Railway Museum); a reminder that technological advancement will never overcome the interventions of Mother Nature (Titanic Museum); an exploration of how renewable energy inspired the construction of a virtual garden and a cityscape more beautiful than even nature intended (Gardens at the Bay); and how humans can truly live in harmony with the natural world (Singapore Zoo and Churaumi Aquarium). Why choose these eight locations from the many museums worldwide? What is it about these collections and their behind the scenes construction that mystifies visitors? What is the secret behind their innovative approach to harness the joy of learning? Would you believe that these museums are also important hubs for researchers? Do you know how to distinguish true dinosaur fossils from a replica? Why does a natural history museum need taxidermy? Why is the Titanic such a memorable disaster? What is the imaginative design behind an open concept zoo? How do you display flourishing Japanese railway culture in a museum? How does a man-made garden harness renewable energy to become more environmentally friendly? What's the use of a pollen sample database? What does the appearance of both the many visible and invisible insects living in our homes mean for us? The Wonders of Museums will reintroduce audiences to museums on a journey through the mystifying splendor of the unknown. This program is sure to provide a fresh perspective as we explore a familiar institution through new vantage points.