It's hard to believe that former President of the United States, Barack Obama and his wife, former First Lady, Michelle Obama, penned their multi-year deal with streaming service Netflix all the way back in 2018.
Agreeing to put their production company, Higher Ground Productions in Netflix's space, President Obama told The Hollywood Reporter at the time: Touching on issues of race and class, democracy and civil rights, and much more, we believe each of these productions won't just entertain, but will educate, connect and inspire us all."
Multiple projects have already surfaced from the deal, including Michelle Obama's Becoming and, the Oscar-nominated documentary, American Factory. This week saw the latest – a nature docuseries called Our Great National Parks – hit the streaming platform. But is it a hit for one of the world’s most famous couples?
The Telegraph, whilst calling the documentary "beautiful", says that British national treasure David Attenborough "needn't worry about being usurped just yet", and says that the series "reminds us of the hole that will be left" should he retire. In the end, journalist Ed Power awarded the show three stars out of five, describing Obama as "glum and not entirely engaged".
Ready Steady Cut are a little nicer to the former Leader of the Free World, saying that Obama "has done a decent job" with his "soothing yet authoritative voice and personal stories about the locations". Romey Norton gives the show four stars out of five, concluding that it is one "the whole family should make time to watch."
Then there's Leisure Byte, whose score sits in the middle (3.5/5). Critic Rashmi Vats writes that the documentary is "a breathtaking virtual safari", but that Obama "urges the audience to take steps [to help fight climate change and the like], meanwhile, it is the big corporations and local governments that are responsible... including the American government. Putting the onus of change on the public is also a favourite past time [of] those in power." They conclude that "it would be a stretch to expect an audience to hang out 'till the fifth episode." Ouch.
Still, what it all comes down to is exactly what you’re looking for from your entertainment of choice. It would appear that Our Great National Parks doesn’t quite live up to the legacy of nature documentaries from David Attenborough but, if you need something to put on in the background whilst you’re folding laundry, then perhaps this is the perfect choice.
The cinematography also looks breathtaking, so if you're not captured by the soft tones of the former President, perhaps stick around for the gorgeous wildlife.
Our Great National Parks is available to stream now, exclusive to Netflix.
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