African Cats is the latest film from Disneynature, Disney’s documentary film unit known for their two previous films Earth and Oceans.  I had the pleasure to screen this film last Thursday at the Disney Studios.  The film is narrated by Samuel L. Jackson and last about 90 minutes.

The film takes place against the backdrop of the beautiful African Savannah and chronicles the efforts of two mother cats—a lion and a cheetah—as they raise their cubs over the course of two years.  The lion mother, Layla, is a senior member of the river pride.  She is raising her cub, Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit, and wisdom.  Layla’s large pride is led by their proud male leader, Fang, who in addition to fathering all of the prides young cubs is charged with defending the pride against a rival lion and his sons.  Not to far away, Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns is raising and teaching her cubs to one day set out on their own.

The movie opens with sweeping panoramic shots of the African Savannah.  The high definition images are so crisp, clear, and breathtaking, it feels as if you are soaring above the land.  Once transported into the film, audiences are introduced to Layla and her six-month-old cub, Mara.  Layla is a senior female in the pride and time after time, her leadership and wisdom shows.  Layla exhibits the traits of human mothers with her compassion and dedication to her cub and always putting Mara first.  Her love for Mara pulls at the heart strings.
Sita is a solitary cheetah raising her five tiny cubs in the often dangerous Savannah.  At the beginning of the movie, the fuzzy babies are still blind and completely dependent upon their mother, who unlike the lion mothers does not live in a pride.  Sita must protect her five cubs from predators and the elements in scenes that can be quite intense.  In lighter moments, Sita must teach her children the other life lessons of the Savannah.

African Cats is beautifully shot with both sweeping panoramic views and shots so close audiences can see single tufts of fur blow with the breeze.  I am amazed at the amount of time (two years) and work that went into following the lives of the cats and effort that went into editing the film.  Disneynature has outdone itself in its effort to bring the cats “to life” for viewers.  By telling the cats’ story through the relatable theme of motherhood, audiences will feel like they really understand the plight of these animals.  I found myself completely engrossed in Layla and Sita’s stories as mothers and identifying with their wants and instincts in regards to their children.

I absolutely loved this movie.  It is beautiful, breath taking, and haunting.  The cinematography is amazing and the animals’ stories will stay with you long after you leave the theater.  That being said, the lions and cheetahs face a variety of threats and obstacles that present intense scenes that may be difficult for younger audiences.  Scenes in the movie aren’t particularly graphic, but many are very intense—even for many of the adults I spoke with in the theater afterward.  I would not recommend this movie for children younger than 8 or 9, and even that age me a bit too young.  If you are thinking about taking your children to see African Cats, here are a few things you may want to discuss with your children prior to heading to the theater:

• Discuss the differences between herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores.  Most children in kindergarten and older understand the differences but may not understand how carnivores get their food.  The cats in the film are carnivores and it isn’t always pretty.
• Show your children pictures of the animals they can expect to see in the film.  In addition to lions and cheetahs, crocodiles and hyenas are features several times.  Both of these animals, especially the hyenas, can be downright scary.
• Talk to your kids about the differences between cartoon animals and real animals.
• Be prepared to cover their eyes in parts.  If you suspect a scene is going to be intense, trust your instincts and get your hand ready!

For more information, I have posted the Disneynature education and activity guides that you may wish to review.  These are great materials for teachers and homeschoolers.

• Children’s Activity Sheet
• Education Guide
• Extended Education Guide