African Cats (2011)
Genre: Documentary / Adventure
Duration: 89 minuten
Alternative titles: African Cats: Kingdom of Courage / Disneynature: African Cats
Country:
United States
Directed by: Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey
Stars: Samuel L. Jackson
IMDb score:
7,5 (6.973)
Releasedate: 21 April 2011
African Cats plot
This 'real-life' version of The Lion King shows an awe-inspiring adventure of family ties in the wild. An epic story set against the backdrop of one of the wildest places on Earth. The story follows Mara, an endearing lion cub, who strives to grow up with her mother's strength and wisdom. Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns, and Fang, a proud leader who must defend his family from an already exiled lion.
Reviews & comments
Insignificance
-
- 3220 messages
- 5589 votes
Nothing new under the sun for those who occasionally watch the big cats on National Geographic and similar channels. You might be surprised, though. If you want to see the savannah and some of its inhabitants in razor-sharp detail, you have come to the right place. Furthermore, it does have something beautiful to offer every now and then, but the Disney stamp is very prominently present.
A saccharine one, above all. I just can't stand this musical affectation (incl. yodeling), but that was to be expected beforehand. More surprising is that Samuel L. Jackson is doing the talking. Certainly not a fortunate choice. Far too recognizable and with too many distinctive roles to his name to break free from that. The times he raises his voice, it immediately becomes ludicrous.
This soundtrack offers virtually no added value. It is only because a lioness roars or a cheetah chirps every now and then that it wouldn't have been better off without it. Even then, the story—because that is what it is—is perfectly easy to follow. Something about motherly love and everything that comes with it in the wild. Props to the camera crew, but I could do without what Fothergill and co. build around it.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Leland Palmer
-
- 23801 messages
- 4944 votes
Well, once again beautiful footage, lovely animals, you name it. But otherwise nothing special. I am always amazed at how they manage to capture certain things so well. Hats off. You must have a great job. Maybe I’ve seen a bit too many documentaries of this type lately. For now, I’m fine with it, no matter how beautifully nature and all its beauty are portrayed.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Onderhond
-
- 87698 messages
- 13075 votes
Meh.
I do have a soft spot for cats, so based on that, this is a documentary that scores pretty easily, of course. Especially when you get to watch a litter of fluffy cheetahs at the beginning. Majestic animals, even when they go hunting. The lions are perhaps slightly less cute, although it remains fun to see how they occasionally exhibit almost identical behavior to the ordinary house cat.
Jackson as narrator is a truly dramatic choice. He simply doesn't have the voice for it and comes across as dry and stilted. I also got the feeling that everything had to be delivered just a little too dramatically. Combined with overly heavy, cheesy music, the narrative part quickly falls flat.
A bit of a shame, because instead of a beautiful documentary, you are served up a typical souped-up Disney vehicle. That didn't exactly excite me; halfway through, I'd had enough of this documentary. Furthermore, I didn't find the visuals all that spectacular either, though fortunately the big cats are simply nice to look at. But I can't give the documentary too much credit for that.
2.0*
Translated from Dutch · View original
Corporate & Media
Realtimes Network
Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31(315)-764002
