Review of Chimpanzee (2012) by Janie B — 09 Mar 2013

"Chimpanzee" is a surprisingly beautiful film that captures a near miracle deep in the African jungle. We become acquainted with Oscar, a young chimpanzee who is learning to navigate through his world with the help of his mother. We closely observe Oscar and the other members of his group as they play, search for food, maintain complex social relationships, and confront external threats. Throughout the film there is a looming danger from an encroaching band of rival chimpanzees who are eager to occupy the more fruitful groves that belong to Oscar's group. After a run-in with the rival band, Oscar's group is left in disarray and Oscar becomes separated from his mother. She never returns and the young chimp is left to fend for himself. What later results is a miraculous event in the natural world that will penetrate even the hardest of hearts.

Some critics have decried the film's anthropomorphizing, while others have expressed a dislike for the narrator, Tim Allen, and the script itself. While the script can seem a little juvenile at times, it serves to connect younger members of the audience to this joyful story. There's no doubt this is a family film, and despite its weaknesses, the script and narration do well to bring both younger and older viewers together. Of course, if Disney were to insist on the dry, scholarly narration common to most documentaries, the appeal would suffer greatly. And that same consideration should guide us in evaluating charges of anthropomorphism. The film relies on the style of earlier Disney nature films from the 1950's and 1960's that anthropomorphize the subjects and their surroundings. To your average viewer, such an approach is a way to better understand the characters in the film and care for them and their survival. Again, if this film was just another documentary attempting to maintain a strictly scientific approach to the natural world, most of the audience, especially children, would lose interest. The film would become dull and lose the charm that keeps your average adult and child captivated simultaneously. And isn't that the point? Aside from the stylistic qualities and the beautiful scenery, shouldn't a film about a group of Chimpanzees encourage the audience to respect and cherish the natural world? If a little anthropomorphism convinces more Americans to change their attitudes about their environment, then I say this film is a triumph. As for me, my wife and I both marvelled at the exquisite scenery and the chimpanzees themselves, and afterwards, we discussed learning more about efforts to protect such creatures and their habitats. I believe other adults will be similarly moved. If anything, Disney's "Chimpanzee," will undoubtedly instill a love of nature in its youngest viewers that will likely influence them for years to come.

"Chimpanzee" is beautifully shot and the scenery will take your breath away. The story is lovely and inspiring and will inevitably resonate with the young and old alike. "Chimpanzee" is a must-see.