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Disneynature’s Chimpanzee Movie Review

Disneynature’s documentary Chimpanzee is a film about chimpanzees, yes. But it is also a movie about love, survival and, most importantly, the  wonder of nature. The story of Chimpanzee is not the story the directors set out to tell, nor is it a story that anyone in Hollywood could have ever scripted. Instead it is an incredible story of a little chimp beating all odds and nature surprising us all once again.

Disneynature's Chimpanzee

The star of the film is an adorable baby chimp named Oscar who’s story is told through the narration of Tim Allen. Deep in the African jungle, Oscar and his tribe were descretly shadowed by scientists and filmmakers to bring you his story as it unfolded before them. Through anthropomorphism Oscar and his family come to life on the screen for the audience to fall in love with.

From the opening scene the audience is captivated by the cuddly baby chimp with whom we immediately identified and empathized with thanks to the clever use of scripting and soundtrack. I must admit Chimpanzee is the first Disneynature film I have watched, although I keep saying one of these days I will get around to seeing African Cats. Although I have faith in Disney’s film making abilities, and thought the trailer looked cute, I was worried the movie would be straight-up, documentary boring. Sorry for doubting you Disney, I am happy to admit I was wrong. This is not just a documentary, it is a story. An unbelievable story. A story with laughter, tears and yes, ultimately a happy ending. (It is after all Disney.)

Chimpanzee Oscar

Honored to walk the red carpet for the film’s premiere along side Jane Goodall (wow), and then sit in the same theater to experience the movie I was blown away by a flood of emotions throughout and after the movie. Like any good movie, the characters are well-developed and defined in their roles as hero, Oscar; devoted mother, Isha; leader of the pack, Freddy; and villain Scar. Beautiful cinematography added to the beauty and wonder as the story unfolded, and telephoto lenses allow the audience to feel as if the chimps were looking directly into the camera playing along in their roles.

Without giving away the story, there are two moments within the movie that are pinnacle to the plot line and portray nature being nature. The first, a hunt for food and the second a fight between the rivaling tribes. As the mother of a four year old, I watched these scenes with my daughter in mind. To answer the question all mothers wonder, yes, I feel that this movie is both appropriated for children and one that they will enjoy. The directors were careful in both scenes to allude to the outcome without depicting graphic detail. In fact, after the movie director Alastair Fothergill asked our group of 20 moms if we felt the hunting scene was too much. We all agreed it was not. (I feared it would be as I watched it, but then just before it was to go there – it stopped.)

Also in the theater was a friend of mine with her seven-year-old son. When I asked him his favorite part he enthusiastically replied, “The fight scene. I thought it was funny.” And mom confirmed that he laughed during the height of the action. In contrast, director Mark Linfield told us that his three year old was concerned for Oscar’s loss, but was quickly reassured, as we all where, as the story progressed. Both reactions reassure this mom that the movie kid-friendly.

Chimpanzee Oscar

With a running time of 78 minutes, Chimpanzee is short enough that it is a good length to hold the attention of small children and yet long enough to tell the story.

Chimpanzee opens in theaters April 20, 2012, with a portion of the proceeds from the first week to benefit Jane Goodall’s foundation to support chimpanzees. I highly recommend this film for adults and children alike, and if you are going to see it, you might as well go the first week to be part of the movement to help save the chimps for generations to come.

See Chimpanzee, Save Chimpanzees!

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI5BjbI_IZ8

Disclosure – I was invited to a Chimpanzee premiere blogger event, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Related

Disney, Reviews chimpanzee, Disney, disneynature, earth day, jane goodall, McClain sisters, oscar

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Melissa says

    April 16, 2012 at 7:07 pm

    Great review – I loved hearing about your amazing experience!

    Reply
  2. Carrie with Children says

    April 17, 2012 at 9:05 pm

    It was so great to meet you this past weekend. I’m so in love with Oscar and the story of Chimpanzee! I’m excited to take my husband to see it this weekend!

    Reply
  3. Maryann says

    April 18, 2012 at 12:06 pm

    What a wonderful review of this kid friendly, nature loving Disney movie. How wonderful that you got to meet Jane Goodall. Her devotion to nature is refreshing,
    marypopmom@yahoo.com

    Reply
  4. Kim says

    April 19, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    I saw the movie at a DC screening earlier this week and it is incredible to see the intelligence of these chimps! They are so human like.

    Reply
  5. kathy pease says

    April 19, 2012 at 4:30 pm

    This looks great I love chimps and think they are adorable and fun to watch..I would love to see this with my son 🙂

    Reply
  6. Sarah says

    April 19, 2012 at 8:32 pm

    You got to meet Jane Goodall? Wow! I am jealous. Really looking forward to seeing this movie.

    Reply
    • jen says

      April 19, 2012 at 9:06 pm

      Yes, it was FABULOUS! I just posted my interview with her 🙂 http://www.thesuburbanmom.com/2012/04/19/meeting-chimpanzees-greatest-champion-jane-goodall/

      Reply
  7. Sarah says

    April 20, 2012 at 3:49 am

    I have been greatly looking forward to this movie, especially since earlier this year I got into a show on Animal Planet, Escape to Chimp Eden, which documents a sanctuary of the Jane Goodall Institute in South Africa. I’m glad to hear that this film will be appropriate to take the 3-year-old in my family to.

    Reply
  8. Seyma Shabbir says

    April 20, 2012 at 4:02 pm

    I am glad to hear it is movie and not a documentary. We will go!

    Reply
    • jen says

      April 21, 2012 at 1:46 pm

      Technically, it is a documentary still. But yes, it is a movie with a plot, humor and more as well! That’s what surprised me the most based on my expectations. (I totally pictured National Geographic, but it is not like that at all.)

      Reply
  9. Alisson H. says

    April 20, 2012 at 8:30 pm

    I really want to see this movie, it sounds amazing! But, my youngest kids are very partial to specific animals, my son pandas and my youngest daughter elephants; so I don’t think they would sit through it. I will have to wait until it comes out on DVD…

    Reply
    • jen says

      April 21, 2012 at 1:45 pm

      I understand. Some kids will some kids won’t, only mom knows 🙂 But you should definitely check it out when it comes on DVD!

      Reply
  10. debbie says

    April 22, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    great movie

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Jen

I'm an Orlando, FL mom, a blogger and a social media junkie. I love anything crafty, Disney, Gator football, chocolate, green living, flip-flops and family movie nights.
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