National Geographic’s The Savage Garden with Leslie Nielsen [VHS]

Comedian Leslie Nielsen says that his garden is a “realm of stalkers, serial killers, and aerial combat” just as a bat swoops in and beheads a praying mantis. Is this a video for budding naturalists or for horror flick fanatics? It’s unclear. While the cinematography may be noteworthy, the results are altogether too fantastic. Special effects create speed-eating fire ants devouring a dragonfly and a wildly dancing vine. The shrew in Nielsen’s garden might as well be the pesky gofer in Caddyshack. The project has potential as a comedy but is not a good example of National Geographic‘s educational standards. Though Nielsen concludes that a garden is a place to pay attention and not wage war against animals you don’t understand, the whole premise is that everyone’s backyard is a war zone: gardeners are portrayed as the good guys and creatures are depicted as the enemies. Hey, here’s a novel concept: if you want to introduce garden creatures to your children, turn off the television and take them outside instead. –Cristina Del Sesto

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