Wild Babies review: Helena Bonham Carter turns narrator for the cutest, most heart-warming nature doc

4/5

Review: Helena Bonham Carter turns narrator for the cutest nature doc I’ve seen in a while. She’s definitely not someone I had imagined relaying stories about baby animals but she does it in the softest, calmest of ways.

Wild Babies travels from the icy terrains of Antarctica to one of the oldest deserts in Namibia for a look into what’s it like being a newborn in the wild. Whether it’s a seal on the shores of the Namib desert, a baby elephant, a bird or a penguin, every single one of them has a unique experience to survive.

If you’re an animal lover even better but even if you're not, this documentary series will move you with emotion, amazement and often trepidation for the fate of these fragile new beings in the wild that’s as unknown to them (for now) as it is to us. We also learn about the child-rearing and bonding patterns in different animals too — while some remain attached to their pack till they are adults, some are left to fend for themselves just weeks after they are born.

There’s nothing gory or too emotionally wrenching in the series though but you are rooting for every single baby to survive the conditions they have no option but to endure. It makes for a seamless informative experience thanks to the lovely narration, the stellar cinematography, and the ambient orchestral music. Every episode is set at a crisp 30 minutes, there's no meandering which means your attention stays fixated on the subjects. The camera goes so close to these animals, it’s almost like you are there with them. One can hear every squeak, grunt or chirp so closely, and can only admire the hours of waiting that must have taken to capture this footage. 

The concept of Wild Babies is nothing new, animal documentaries have been around for a long time. I don’t know about you but this series made me realise how minuscule we are in the grand scheme of things and how we have resigned ourselves to the little urban jungle we have created. In order to make our lives better, efficient, easy and more modern, we have and still are actively sabotaging the state of planet earth for future generations of our own children but also the natural habitats of these animals who are equally important to the ecosystem. Without sounding too preachy or sensational, Wild Babies gently implores us to be more mindful.

Verdict: Wild Babies is a wonderful and educational ride that will appeal to adults and children alike. 

Wild Babies is streaming on Netflix.