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Created Apr 21, 2012 07:06PM PST • Edited Apr 21, 2012 07:06PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Great 4.0

   What a great work of filming and storytelling! These guys went deep in to the rainforests of the Ivory coast to film Chimpanzees – who are amazingly easy to identify with. They bond, horse around, watch out for each-other, have familial drama, fight with neighboring tribes, plan and scheme about how to get their food, and have love and empathy. Lucky for us humans, they don’t mind being filmed either. And the filming was fantastic. Not only the scenic views of the forest, the time-lapse motion filming of nature’s movements, but the uncanny ability to get in close to the Chimpanzee action. Truly wonderful. And the story? Wow. Young chimp loses mom (tear jerker), tries to fend for himself, then is “adopted” by the older alpha male. Touching stuff. This movie will be enjoyable for all ages.

4. Acting

   Great 4.0

   The characters in the Chimpanzee troupes were personable and easy to get to know. Oscar is as cute and lovable as all get-out, and Freddie is the wise, paced, and really smart Alpha Male. Even Scar, the kind-of bad-guy seemed reasonable. Just trying to get food and fend of the young upstarts trying to take his place. ’m not so sure about the Tim Allen choice. There were some funny “Tool Time” references, and his voice is familiar and warm – but somehow I was left feeling wanting for some more character.

5. Male Stars Great 4.0

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Great 4.0

8. Male Costars Great 4.0

10. Film

    Great 4.0

    The summary says it all. This was a great production.

11. Direction Great 4.0

12. Play Great 4.0

13. Music Great 4.0

14. Visuals Great 4.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Tame 1.5

    Some nastiness happened, but they kept it well hidden.

17. Sex Innocent 1.5

18. Violence Gentle 1.5

19. Rudeness Polite 1.5

21. Reality

    Natural 1.0

22. Circumstantial Natural 1.0

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0