Nanette Burstein's National Geographic documentary "Carl Sagan: We Are Made of Star Stuff" offers an accessible, humanising portrait of the astronomer and science communicator, but deliberately sidesteps deeper intellectual engagement with his ideas. Produced with input from Sagan's widow Ann Druyan and Seth MacFarlane, the 98-minute film mirrors Sagan's own populist approach in his PBS series "Cosmos", but leaves rigorous exploration of his scientific legacy to viewers, favouring biography over substance.

The reviewer notes the film leans heavily on whimsical animation from Imaginary Forces to illustrate Sagan's cosmic concepts, which entertains but lacks the awe-inspiring impact of the original Mariner, Viking and Voyager mission imagery Sagan helped bring to the public. Rather than featuring contemporary astrophysicists to contextualise his scientific contributions, the documentary focuses on those closest to him, particularly Druyan, who shares candid personal recollections including their courtship, marriage, drug use, and work compiling the Voyager Golden Record. Critics of Sagan within the academic community are mentioned but not given a voice, and the film prioritises personal and emotional storytelling over scholarly depth.