Blu-ray Review “Disneynature’s Chimpanzee”

Directors: Alastair Fothergill, Mark Linfield
Narrated by: Tim Allen
MPAA Rating: G
Distributed by: Walt Disney Video
Release Date: August 21, 2012
Running Time: 78 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

I look forward to Disneynature’s films every Earth Day for the last few years. This year’s installment “Chimpanzee” has been my most anticipated. Well, let’s say that I was very impressed with the film. It takes more story approach and really delves into the lives of these Chimps. It feels more like a movie and less like a documentary. Tim Allen’s narration provides a great narrative and gets a bunch of great laughs as well. Disney does not disappoint with its Blu-ray presentation, as always. This film look glorious in its 1080p transfer. It also packs a wallop in its fantastic DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio track. Fans of the Disneynature series will enjoy this film for sure and I sure hope that they are planning to continue this series.

Film Synopsis: “From Disneynature, the studio that brought you “Earth,” “Oceans,” and “African Cats,” comes “Chimpanzee” — a remarkable story of individual triumph and family bonds. Journey deep into the African forest and meet Oscar, an adorable young chimp with an entertaining approach to life. The world is a playground for little Oscar and his fellow young chimps who love creating mayhem. His playful curiosity and zest for discovery showcase the intelligence and ingenuity of some of the most extraordinary personalities in the animal kingdom. Stunning hi-definition images bring you up close and personal as Oscar and his family navigate the complex territory of the forest. It’s an inspiring and life-changing adventure that overflows with courage and charm. And it will capture your heart.”

This release is jam-packed with special features and the following are exclusive only to the Blu-ray release. “On Location: The Making of Chimpanzee” includes a series of short featurettes that tells what in the great lengths that the filmmakers went to tell the story of Oscar and his chimpanzee family. “30 Years in the Making” includes the story of the team of researchers who have been observing chimpanzees in the Ivory Coast for 30 years. “The Heart of the “Chimpanzee”” is a great behind-the-scenes featurettes on how and why the film was made. “Piece of the Puzzle” is an amazing two-hour daily trek from one of the cameramen in order to hike through the forest to get to the chimpanzees. “Don’t Blame the Tool” is a funny feature how chimpanzees’ use rocks as tools to prepare their food. One of the funniest scenes in the movie BTW. “Scar’s Army” looks into the struggles between the film’s two rival chimpanzee groups who share the same forest home. “Camp Invaders” switches focus to the creepy, crawly creatures found at the filmmakers’ forest camp. “Forest of Bees” goes into detail on how the crew spent two days wading through a sea of bees in order to capture 20 seconds of footage. Lastly there is a music video for song rise from McClain Sisters and also a behind-the-scenes look into the shoot.

The following extras are the only extras included on the DVD, but are also on the Blu-ray. “See ‘Chimpanzee,’ Save Chimpanzees” focuses on the conservation program and how Disneynature will make a donation to JGI to protect chimpanzees today and tomorrow with the purchase of this release. The feature also includes an interview with Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace. “Disney’s Friends for Change—This” highlights Disney’s Friends for Change program, that showcases steps that kids and families can take to make a positive impact on the world and the people and animals that live there. “Disney’s Conservation Legacy” look into the conservation efforts that Disney sponsors around the world.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, chimpanzee, disneynatures, review

“Disneynature’s Chimpanzee” Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Giveaway [ENDED]

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. PLEASE CHECK BACK EACH WEEK FOR NEW GIVEAWAYS!

New On Disney Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Available on August 21st!

To celebrate the Blu-Ray™ release of “Disneynature’s Chimpanzee”, Media Mikes would like to giveaway 10 copies of the 2-Disc Combo Pack (Blu-ray™ + DVD). If you would like to win one of these great prizes, please leave us a comment below or send us an email and let us know your favorite Disneynature film. This giveaway will be open until September 4th at Noon, Eastern Time and is only open to residents of the United States. Only one entry per person, per household; all other entries will be considered invalid. Once the giveaway ends, Media Mikes will randomly pick out winners and alert the winners via email.

Film Synopsis: From Disneynature, the studio that brought you “Earth,” “Oceans,” and “African Cats,” comes “Chimpanzee” — a remarkable story of individual triumph and family bonds. Journey deep into the African forest and meet Oscar, an adorable young chimp with an entertaining approach to life. The world is a playground for little Oscar and his fellow young chimps who love creating mayhem. His playful curiosity and zest for discovery showcase the intelligence and ingenuity of some of the most extraordinary personalities in the animal kingdom. Stunning hi-definition images bring you up close and personal as Oscar and his family navigate the complex territory of the forest. It’s an inspiring and life-changing adventure that overflows with courage and charm. And it will capture your heart.

Bonus Features:
DVD:

  • “See ‘Chimpanzee,’ Save Chimpanzees”—This feature details the “See ‘Chimpanzee,’ Save Chimpanzees” conservation program and how for every copy of the film purchased until August 27, 2012, Disneynature will make a donation to JGI to protect chimpanzees today and tomorrow. The feature also includes an interview with Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace.
  • Disney’s Friends for Change—This feature highlights Disney’s Friends for Change, a program that showcases steps that kids and families can take to make a positive impact on the world and the people and animals that live there.
  • Disney’s Conservation Legacy—This feature provides a look at the conservation efforts that Disney sponsors around the world.

BLU-RAY:
Everything on the DVD, plus …

  •  ON LOCATION: THE MAKING OF “CHIMPANZEE” is a series of exciting short features that delve further into the incredible lengths the filmmakers went to tell the story of Oscar and his chimpanzee family.
  • 30 Years in the Making—The story of the team of researchers who have been observing chimpanzees in the Ivory Coast for 30 years.
  • The Heart of the “Chimpanzee”—A behind-the-scenes look at how and why the film was made.
  • Piece of the Puzzle—A cameraman’s two-hour daily trek through the forest to get to the chimpanzees.
  • Don’t Blame the Tool—An observation of the chimpanzees’ daily lives and how they use rocks as tools to prepare their food.
  • Scar’s Army—An inside look at the struggles between the film’s two rival chimpanzee groups who share the same forest home.
  • Camp Invaders—A featurette on all the creepy, crawly creatures found at the filmmakers’ forest camp.
  • Forest of Bees—A feature detailing how the crew spent two days wading through a sea of bees that inhabited their filming location in order to capture 20 seconds of footage.
  • • “Rise” Music Video—A music video featuring Hollywood Records recording artists McClain Sisters who wrote and performed the inspirational song that plays during the film’s end credits.
  • Behind the Scenes of “Rise”—An inside look at McClain Sisters music video shoot.

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Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: bluraydvd, chimpanzee, combo, disneynatures, giveaway, pack, ...

Book Review “Disneynature’s Chimpanzee: The Making of the Film”

Author(s): Christophe Boesch, Sanjida O’Connell
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Disney Editions
Release Date: March 13, 2012

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I look forward to Disneynature’s films every Earth Day for the last few years. This year’s installment “Chimpanzee” has been my most anticipated. Well, let’s say that I was very impressed with the film and Tim Allen’s narration. Once I let the theater, I knew I had this book waiting for me at home and I rushed back to dive right in. The book is a little short overall compared to past making-of books from Disneynature, but it is extremely informative and satisfying. If you have seen the movie or even just love nature books, I would rush out and pick up this impressive companion book.

Disneynature’s goal with these films have been to inform their audiences and hope increased awareness with the film’s topics.  This book goal is not only to tell the making of the film but also to focus on the future for these apes. “Disneynature’s Chimpanzee: The Making of the Film” follows the entire process of the movie’s producing,  ranging from the filmmakers pitch to Disneynature to the filming challenges on location in the heart of Africa. I have a lot of respect for the filmmakers and cameramen on this shoot.  They did not have it easy and really sacrificed a lot in order to get this movie made and get the shots needed.  It also features a lot of commentary on the chimpanzees’ background and their territory wars (as the film focuses on).

This hardcover book not only includes a beautiful slipcover, I actually really like what was underneath it more.  There is a beautiful painting of a chimpanzee on both the front and back covers.   Besides just the filmmakers tale of production, there is also much focus on the relationship between Freddy (the packs leader) and Oscar (our little star of the film) is told through stories and also amazing photographs.  The images in the book are very crisp and colorful as well.  I would highly recommend this book and see this movie if you haven’t already, since it tells a great story and is very inspiring.

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Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: book, chimpanzee, disneynatures, film, making, review, ...

Film Review “Disneynature’s Chimpanzee”

Starring:  Oscar and other assorted friends.
Directed by:  Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield
G
Running time:  1 hour 18 mins
DisneyNature

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

There’s a great part in “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” where, during the filming of a parodied “Scream 3” the killer turns out to be a monkey.  Horrified, Shannen Doherty turns to director Wes Craven and exclaims, “A monkey, Wes?  Jesus, you’re not even trying anymore are you?”   Smiling, Craven replies, “The market research says that people love monkeys!”  And take it from me, they’re going to love little Oscar, the star of the new documentary, “Chimpanzee.”

Young chimp Oscar spends his days hanging out with his mom.  Life is pretty sweet for the little guy.  But when the food in their part of the jungle runs low, Oscar’s group must forage in areas that are not friendly, guarded by a rival group of chimps.  It’s like “West Side Story” with primates!

Cute as a button (the first five or six times he’s on screen the screening audience let out a collected “awww), Oscar makes for an engaging movie star.  The film itself is beautifully shot, with the filmmakers gaining unprecedented access to the secrets of the jungle.  The story is pretty straight forward.  Find food or fight trying.  The chimpanzees must have studied at the Disney school of movie plots.  During one of the skirmishes Oscar’s mother just disappears, apparently killed.  The rival gang is led by a scowling chimp named Scar.  The film is surprisingly “G” rated, which I found strange considering there is an intense sequence where the chimps surround a weaker group of monkeys, capture the slowest one and eat it.  I guess if it happens in nature it’s not PG worthy.

The world the chimpanzees make for themselves is pretty amazing.  Whether fashioning a bed for themselves by bending tree branches or choosing between a log or a rock to open nuts, it’s clear that these guys are pretty smart.  And close.  The best scenes are the simple ones…Oscar and his young friends wrestling or just Oscar cradled in his mother’s arms.  The magic of the jungle is caught in all its beauty, with special mention to the various time-lapse shots capturing everything from a blossoming flower to a spider making its web.  And while Wes Craven believes everyone loves monkeys, I noticed that the majority of the under-5 crowd fidgeted during the screening, usually being taken out of the theatre in tears.  But for the over-5 crowd, the film should be a crowd pleaser.

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Filed Under: Film Reviews Tagged With: chimpanzee, disneynatures, film, review

Disneynature’s “Chimpanzee” World Premiere Event Giveaway [ENDED]

THANK YOU FOR ENTERING, THE CONTEST HAS ENDED. OUR WINNER HAS BEEN CHOSEN AND NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. PLEASE CHECK BACK EVERY WEEK FOR NEW GIVEAWAYS!

To celebrate the release of Disneynature’s “Chimpanzee”, Media Mikes would like to giveaway One (1) family 4-pack of tickets to the WORLD PREMIERE event at AMC Downtown Disney in Orlando FL on April 13th. If you would like to win this once in a lifetime prize, all you have to do is “LIKE” our Facebook page and then post “Disneynature” and the name of your favorite animal. If you’re already a fan of our Facebook page, just head over and post “Disneynature” and the name of your favorite animal. One (1) person will be randomly selected from all entries to win the family 4-pack of tickets.

No purchase necessary.
©2012 Disney Enterprises, Inc.

This giveaway will be open until Sunday April 8th at Noon, Eastern Time and is only open to residents of the United States, preferably in the Orlando FL area. Only one entry per person, per household; all other entries will be considered invalid. Once the giveaway ends, Media Mikes will randomly pick out winners and alert the winners via email. The winner will need to respond by Monday, April 9th. Good luck and thanks for visiting MediaMikes.com!

WHEN/WHERE:
Friday, April 13, 2012
Red Carpet: 11:00 a.m
Film Screening: 12:00 p.m

AMC Downtown Disney
1500 E. Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

WHAT:
The WORLD PREMIERE of the feature film “Chimpanzee,” Disneynature’s newest True-Life Adventure featuring the wildly entertaining and heart-warming story of Oscar, an enchanting young chimpanzee whose life is caught on camera for the world to share. SAVE THE DATE to join directors Alastair Fothergill (“African Cats” and “Earth”) and Mark Linfield (“Earth”), as well as Dr. Jane Goodall for the celebration.

The WORLD PREMIERE of “Chimpanzee” is part of the Disney Kids and Nature Celebration (April 12-14, 2012, at the Walt Disney World Resort), which recognizes, rewards and inspires lifelong conservation leadership. The Celebration features a host of events, including a special Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund Awards Ceremony that honors five organizations for programs that connect kids to nature, and the Friends for Change Youth Summit.

ABOUT THE MOVIE:
Disneynature takes moviegoers deep into the forests of Africa with “Chimpanzee,” a new True-Life Adventure introducing an adorable young chimpanzee named Oscar and his entertaining approach to life in a remarkable story of family bonds and individual triumph. Oscar’s playful curiosity and zest for discovery showcase the intelligence and ingenuity of some of the most extraordinary personalities in the animal kingdom. Working together, Oscar’s chimpanzee family—including his mom, Isha, and the group’s savvy leader, Freddy — navigates the complex territory of the forest.

The world is a playground for little Oscar and his fellow young chimpanzees, who’d rather make mayhem than join their parents for an afternoon nap. But when Oscar’s family is confronted by a rival band of chimpanzees, he is left to fend for himself until a surprising ally steps in and changes his life forever. Directed by Alastair Fothergill (“African Cats” and “Earth”) and Mark Linfield (“Earth”). “Chimpanzee” swings into theaters on April 20, 2012, just in time for Earth Day 2012. “Chimpanzee” is rated G by the MPAA.

See “Chimpanzee” * Save Chimpanzees. See “Chimpanzee” opening week and Disneynature will make a donation to the Jane Goodall Institute to protect chimpanzees today and tomorrow. Visit Disney.com/Chimpanzee for more information.

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Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: chimpanzee, disneynatures, event, giveaway, premiere, world, ...
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