MOVIE NEWS: Chimpanzee

Editor’s note: today’s blog is courtesy of the lovely OWL assistant editor, Kendra Brown.  Enjoy!

Hey blog readers, do you know what animal shares 98% of our genetic material? Hint: it’s the title of Disneynature’s newest documentary (and the title of this blog post). That’s right — chimpanzees are our closest living relatives. And while I was watching this new movie, I could totally spot the similarities between us.

Photo: Kristen J. Mosher ©Disney

Chimpanzee introduces us to Oscar, a young chimp living in the African rainforest with his family. Life is good for Oscar. He sleeps, eats, and plays all day (sounds pretty nice, doesn’t it?). But Oscar’s life is changed forever when a rival band of chimps puts his family in peril. And after losing his mother, Oscar is forced to fend for himself… until a very surprising friend steps in.

Here are a few observations about the movie:

1. It’s playful. Young chimps are incredibly playful animals. I mean, those little guys really know how to have fun! I loved watching them be silly and swing through the trees. And I think actor Tim Allen (you probably know him as the voice of Buzz Lightyear) also had fun narrating the film.

2. It’s educational. I learned a ton watching this movie. Did you know that chimps use tools? For instance, they use rocks and wooden logs to crack open tasty coula nuts to eat. And that’s just one of the many handy skills they pass down through the generations! I have to say, this movie really opened my eyes to the incredible world of chimpanzees.

3. It’s heartwarming. There are definitely some sad moments in this movie, but overall, it was a sweet, touching story. As hard as it was to watch Oscar lose his mother, it was amazing to watch him form a bond with his new friend. And I bet you’ll agree with me, if you see it for yourself!

Overall, I liked this movie a lot. It was really cool to get up-close and personal with Oscar and his chimpanzee family. Plus, Disneynature will make a donation for every ticket sold during opening week to the Jane Goodall Institute, an organization that works to protect chimpanzees and their habitats. And what’s not to like about that?

But just a warning: there are some intense scenes, especially when enemy chimps confront Oscar’s family. So, if that’s not your thing, you may not want to see this in the theatre.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI5BjbI_IZ8]

What do you think, blog readers? Will you go see Chimpanzee? If you do, come back and tell us what you thought!

-Kendra, owlblog@owlkids.com