Breakthrough: reviews

What the critics say average 6.0 from 3 outlets

• 7.0 New York TimesNeil Genzlinger 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. Read
• 6.0 VarietyBrian Lowry 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. Read
• 5.0 The Hollywood ReporterDan Fienberg 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. Read