Pole to Pole with Will Smith
There’s no shortage of TV shows that see celebrities embark on trips to exotic and far-off locations. The latest in this genre is Pole to Pole with Will Smith on Disney+, which sees the Fresh Prince star journey across seven continents on a 100-day expedition in honour of his late mentor, Dr Allen Counter, a renowned scientist and explorer. He’ll trek across the frozen wilderness, help hunt an anaconda in the Amazon, and talk to various researchers and experts. It’s all generally riveting stuff, although the show is more concerned with conveying a sense of adventure than with being a conventional nature documentary.
The most remarkable part of this series is its production. Made by National Geographic, each episode boasts some spectacular visuals. Whether it’s drone shots that pan across a vast snowy mountain to show the small specks of Smith and his guide (polar athlete Richard Parks), or jaw-dropping vistas of the rainforest, a huge emphasis is put on displaying the sense of scale and the natural beauty of each place visited.
Smith makes for an entertaining presenter, too. While some of his off-the-cuff observations lack the sophistication of Attenborough, he’s a genuinely charming and often-funny host. He makes some enjoyably bad dad jokes (“How do you spot Will Smith in the snow? Follow the fresh prints!”) and sarcastically mocks the lack of protection that a pair of gloves would provide against an anaconda attack. However, the programme has a habit of being a little heavy-handed whenever Smith mentions his Oscars blunder or when his travel companions talk about traumatic events from their past. Thankfully, these moments are rare and never overstay their welcome.
Pole to Pole is primarily about watching Smith venture into the unknown. He climbs an ice wall, paddles down a river that’s home to deadly predators, and spends time with the native Waorani tribe. While this docuseries is more preoccupied with capturing a sense of discovery, it still manages to scatter some interesting information throughout. Specifically, the third episode offers a fascinating insight into the Waorani’s way of life in addition to their leader’s ongoing fight against oil companies polluting the environment.
Although Pole to Pole isn’t as informative as similar genre outings, its astounding cinematography and charismatic celebrity presenter are enough to make accompanying Will Smith on his journey a worthwhile experience.
Andrew Murray
Pole to Pole with Will Smith is released on Disney+ on 14th January 2026.
Watch the trailer for Pole to Pole with Will Smith here:
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