Disneynature: Chimpanzee (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging) by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

Actors

• Tim Allen

Format

• AC-3
• Color
• Dolby
• DTS Surround Sound
• Dubbed

Editorial Review

Deep in the African forest lives a chimpanzee named Oscar, a playful and curious young ape whose mother Isha loves him and who's part of a solid troop lead by a formidable chimp named Freddy. This fourth Disneynature film follows Oscar through a breathtakingly gorgeous forest on his journey toward adulthood–focusing in as Oscar learns crucial life skills, like finding food and cracking nuts by imitating his mother and the other members of his troop. When food becomes scarce, the chimps turn toward an unexpected source of protein–the local colobus monkeys. The footage of their surprising offensive against the monkeys manages to convey all the suspense and tension of the attack and its aftermath without ever actually showing the kill. When a rival group of chimps threatens to wrest control of a crucial nut grove from Freddy's tribe, it's all out war between the two troops and the unthinkable happens. When it looks like Oscar won't survive the aftereffects of the battle, a most unexpected development provides a glimmer of hope for his future. There are two keys to any great nature film: the cinematography and the ability of the filmmakers to translate that footage into a powerful story. Chimpanzee succeeds on both fronts. The up-close look at chimpanzees in their natural habitat going about their normal activities is extremely rare and quite moving, and the footage of forest details, like the time-lapse growth of plants, mushrooms expelling their spores, the fungal glow of the forest at night, and a dramatic lightning storm, is exceptionally beautiful. Producers Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield, with the help of Tim Allen's surprisingly apt narration, have seamlessly interwoven this amazing photographic journey with the moving story of one adorable chimp to create an immensely powerful story about family, perseverance, teamwork, and triumph. (Ages 5 and older) –Tami Horiuchi