African Cats

[Rainey]

I'm always a fan of animal documentaries and this was no exception. Besides being able to see it on the Sky Superscreen made it all the more fantastic. The shots were already gorgeous but they became even more vivid on such a big screen. The animal fur was so detailed it almost felt like I could reach out and touch the fluffy hairs. And the swooping camera shots over the land were absolutely breath-taking.

There was a decent amount of action in the scenes where the animals were hunting (though the shots used were not gory, making it still very suitable for children to watch) and there was a tear or two too. A very sweet Saturday morning film.

In the end I am happy we didn't end up being able to go up to the balcony as the stalls area was very empty and some late-comers (who of course HAD to get into our row and walk in front of us) aside, there were no major disturbances from the audience.

8.5/10


Seeing they revamped the Disney logo/name for this docu I assumed there were more in the series and I was able to find these Disney sub-websites:

http://disney.go.com/disneynature/oceans/

http://disney.go.com/disneynature/chimpanzee/ (this only just came out in cinemas yesterday)

http://disney.go.com/disneynature/africancats/

http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/disneynature-earth.html

http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/disneyna ... -wing.html

I really hope we get a chance to see the others on the big screen too!

This link is the disney nature UK site http://www.disney.co.uk/disneynature/films/ I have just noticed there is a comp on there for tickets to the première of African Cats on 25th April at the BFI. Sadly we didn't get to see this today as my son was not well this morning.

[akh43]

Good film-doc on the big cats that didnt pull too many punches for the kids. Patrick Stewart mans the narrative helm with enough gusto and sweeping music to almost convince you hes dictating the Battle for Middle Earth or Narnia (or similar epic place).

Beautifully shot but a bit long for me. After a while I was staving off the boredom by naming the various felines after fmuk members, which made it much more fun lol.

The narrator was Samuel L. Jackson.
Which lioness was I?

It was definitely Patrick Stewart. I know the IMDB page says Samuel L Jackson but as soon as the narrator opened his mouth we realised that it was not him (in my head I was ticking off Ian McKellen and Christopher Lee for a while until the Patrick Stewart connection hit)

What animal was I? (and don't say the lion's play toy )

My son has just googled and it came up that Patrick Stewart is narating in the UK version and Samuel Jackson in the US version. I knew the voice but couldnt think who it was so dont have to check now.

I did enjoy this and thought the cubs were so cute, dont usually watch nature stuff but I did enjoy this. We had a few disruptive kids at Trafford Centre, but not enough to spoil the film. But they had taken our usual back row seats when we got in there

Didnt realise about the funnies at the end, caught a couple on my way out, until yogi told us when he came out, wished I'd have stayed for them.

I had to laugh at Beate's post talking about babies "accidentally" falling from balconies

[steve]

I agree the film was overly long but well shot and narrated.
AK it says narrated by Patrick Stewart on your colour in poster. Lol

[baty]

Took the GS & GD to see this in Swansea. I'm afraid to say I was one of the people Beate would have hated. The place was mostly empty - to which I was grateful, as GS 'disappeared' under a seat and 'bazzingared' around the place. Did eventually capture said cub as he was spotted climbing along the top of a row of seats. Honest, I was trying to keep him under control.
He did redeem himself when he screemed out at the the cubs being hunted by the other big cats which made people laugh. To give people a rest from him we then spent a looooong time in the toilets.

Really enjoyed the bits I seen, As I am a bit of a Trekkie I knew it was Patrick as soon as the first word came out. I will have to Google him and find out if he has done any audio books.
Very good scenes with fantastic closeups 8/10

[akh43]

I agree the film was overly long but well shot and narrated.
AK it says narrated by Patrick Stewart on your colour in poster. Lol

Thanks for that Steve, just checked and you are right - cant believe I used to have a crush on him when he was Capt Picard and didnt pick this up it was him narrating

[yogi]

I read it was Sammy L too but at the end it said Patrick Stewart (vague Scots accent confirmed this).

Pity. I was quite looking forward to Samuel commenting on a dying lion ("...and so Kali lay down to die. Aint life a bitch") or a fallen hunted gazelle. ("look at dat motherf***ker burn"!) But no. :blink

Saw this today and really enjoyed it, really took me back to when I was there a few years ago.

Good to see some of the members of FMUK North again and meet Betty Botter for the first time.

Enjoyed the narration, Patrick Stewart really does have a great voice for this kind of thing, but agree with raj101 it would have been great to get the full Sam Jackson experience. Here's what we were missing.



Worth staying for the credits, all the animals are given crew jobs in a fairly amusing way.

[Diane65]

Good film-doc on the big cats that didnt pull too many punches for the kids. Patrick Stewart mans the narrative helm with enough gusto and sweeping music to almost convince you hes dictating the Battle for Middle Earth or Narnia (or similar epic place).

Beautifully shot but a bit long for me. After a while I was staving off the boredom by naming the various felines after fmuk members, which made it much more fun lol.

Was there a Hippo?

Yes I was there having a swim

[elski]

This link is the disney nature UK site http://www.disney.co.uk/disneynature/films/ I have just noticed there is a comp on there for tickets to the première of African Cats on 25th April at the BFI. Sadly we didn't get to see this today as my son was not well this morning.

There are a few comps for the premiere posted here http://www.fmuk.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17743
Will & Kate are going to be in attendance

[steve]

Gave my new neighbours who have a young child a set of tickets for this. Only know them well enough to let on to, and that they are Italian. She's just called round with a thankyou note AND some freshly baked choc chip buns. How nice is that.

[Diane65]

Gave my new neighbours who have a young child a set of tickets for this. Only know them well enough to let on to, and that they are Italian. She's just called round with a thankyou note AND some freshly baked choc chip buns. How nice is that.

Wow how lovely is that, its lovely to be appreciated and enjoy your freshly baked buns