Review of African Cats (2011) by Jamie T — 25 Apr 2011

A very fine documentary from Disneynature on the subject of, no surprise, African cats. This film focuses on a pride of lions, and on the plight of a mother cheetah and her cubs. A mild plot is imposed upon the proceedings, making an antagonist (at least initially) of one imperialistic lion, and a tragic heroine of an aging lioness. The supporting cast consists of gazelles, wildebeest, crocodiles, aardvarks, and other savanna inhabitants, all fascinating in their own ways. But, of course, the main attractions are the felines, and they are remarkable creatures. The carefully chosen juxtaposition of tranquility and violence in their lives only serves to enhance, for the viewer, just how bittersweet life in the wild can be.

Mara the lion cub, Layla her tragic mother, and Sita the cheetah are alike engaging, and for anyone even remotely fond of cats, the constant sight of romping cubs, lion and cheetah both, are impossibly charming. Other little delights include the sight of slap-fighting aardvarks, an unexpected (yet welcome) intervention from an elephant, and the trials and tribulations young cats must go through in learning how to hunt. The harsh qualities of life, too, are not ignored, and the film is as often heartbreaking as it is inspiring.

The direction/photography by Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey is wonderful, in glorious High Definition video, capturing all the color and texture of Africa in crisp detail. It is truly a breathtaking visual experience. The narration is by Samuel L. Jackson, and he takes the tone of a good-natured schoolteacher leading us through this world, often as delighted or moved as we are by the events onscreen. It adds much to the experience. Nicholas Hooper's lovely score is the icing on the cake, although a wretched Jordin Sparks song plays over the end credits; I would suggest leaving the theaters, but if you do, you'll miss the amusing fake credits, which credit the various animals with bogus crew positions (the fighting aardvarks are "stunt co-ordinators", hyenas the "laughter track").

AFRICAN CATS doesn't break any new ground; decades earlier, Disney's own THE AFRICAN LION tackled the same territory. But it is in of itself a fine experience, a must for nature lovers, and an educational introduction to the Pridelands.