Disneynature’s 2011 Earth Day documentary, “African Cats”, takes place in Kenya, and focuses on a pride of lions and a family of cheetahs, both trying to survive. The lion story involves a battle over territory involving two male rivals and an aging lioness trying to stay alive to protect her cub, while the cheetah tale centers around a mother’s effort to raise her cubs and teach them how to live and hunt in the wild.
The studio’s previous theatrical releases – “Earth” (2009) and “Oceans” (2010) – featured a wide variety of animals, on land, in the air and underwater. Many of the creatures in those films had never been seen on screen before, at least not this close. Because of that there was a “Wow” factor with “Earth” and “Oceans” that’s missing from “African Cats”. There isn’t anything in this film that I was amazed or even mildly surprised by.
However, as is always the case with Disneynature, the photography is phenomenal. And the direction and editing of the wildlife footage superb. I’d really like to see a “making of” documentary of this documentary. Some of the shots of the animals are so tight, even during the intense action scenes, that it’s hard to imagine how the camera people were able to get them.
And Samuel L. Jackson, who narrates the film, gives a warm and friendly read, with plenty of emotion. But the main problem with “African Cats” is that the stories of these two groups don’t grab you emotionally. Because of the decision to go specific, the storylines of these cats have to be interesting and unfortunately they aren’t. There isn’t enough drama or character development to hold my attention for the entire movie. I wish that we were shown more footage of other species and their situations.
Walking out of “African Cats” I didn’t have the feeling that I had just learned something new about lions and cheetahs or the African savanna, and most people will feel the same way. In fact most of the concepts of life and death among animals in “African Cats” can be found in Disney’s own – “The Lion King”. And that had laughs and some great music!
Even though “African Cats” is rated G, and it comes from Disney, that doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for the entire family. This film is all about wild animals hunting, killing and eating other wild animals. Parents – there is a lot of death in this movie (remember, the “Circle of Life” thing?), so don’t show this to the little ones thinking this is going to be a cute and cuddly experience. It’s o.k. for kids 8 and up, as long as they understand the “predator-prey” situation involving animals in the wild.
On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, “African Cats” gets a C+.
Disneynature’s 2012 Earth Day film will be “Chimpanzee”, which tells the story of an orphaned chimp. Another very specific story. Let’s hope this one has something interesting to say.