Film Review: Tim Allen Narrates the Humanity in ‘Chimpanzee’

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CHICAGO – It’s Earth Day this weekend, and following on the heels of “Earth” and “African Cats,” previous releases from Walt Disney Studios and Disneynature, there is “Chimpanzee.” Tim Allen narrates the story of Oscar, Isha, Freddy and Scar, and the film is co-produced by the Jane Goodall Institute, which preserves the chimpanzee natural habitats in Africa.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

This is part of the remarkable and traditional Disney True Life Adventures, and with technology getting so much better and smaller for recording the action, the audience is the fly-on-the-animal for the story of the chimpanzees in their natural home. Tim Allen narrates the film in his own inimitable style, and the result is a breezy and eye-opening nature film for kids and adults alike. Studying the faces and the habits of the animal stars, we can’t help but notice how close the species are to humanity, even in the application of emotional intuition.

Oscar is the latest child to be born into a tribe of chimpanzees in the tropical forests of the Ivory Coast and Uganda, the son of an alpha female named Isha. Oscar’s tribe is led by Freddy, and then all tend and interact in a lush area where food is generally available. Oscar is taught by his mother to fit in, but he won’t reach a maturity until about age 20.

The tribe is threatened by another group of chimpanzees, led by Scar. In the quest for food, Scar wants to raid the area and take over the whole region. In the inevitable battle there are casualties, including mother Isha. Oscar is now alone in the world, but the tribe and Freddy will come through in the end, protecting the territory and their own.

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Chimpanzee”

Baby Oscar and Mother Isha in ‘Chimpanzee’ Photo credit: Martyn Colbeck for © Disney

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Chimpanzee”