Disneynature’s newest release, BORN IN CHINA, focuses on five different endangered animal families in China throughout the course of a year. Following the four seasons, we are given a look into the splendid landscape of China and the sporadic changing weather that we may not otherwise get a chance to experience.
For us, a homeschool family, this kind of movie is right up our alley. We love animal documentaries – they are our natural go-to at night. With that being said, we were familiar with pandas, snow leopards and snub-nosed monkeys. Being Disneynature fans, we were ready to hopefully learn more about these beautiful creatures and their surroundings.
While BORN IN CHINA introduces us to new families, unfortunately we do not get the opportunity to connect with these families as much as we did in previous Disneynature films. Missing this connection was disappointing, but not devastating. The animals are adorable and the coverage provided was exciting and interesting. You are able to connect with the animals, a few more than others, just not a deep connection.
It is important to note that this is a nature film. Life and death happen. Disneynature handles this well, leaving all of the gore on the cutting room floor. There are intense scenes that could cause little ones to be scared, but not for very long. And honestly, the intensity is at a very low level. I think the emotional impact of one particular death is heavier than the actual intensity level. Life lessons can be learned from the families we grow to love, and that is far more important than anything else. NDK (my neurotic Disney kid) shares her thoughts below. Check out how she felt about this movie (WARNING: there could be a spoiler or two).
Disneynature crews work with two years of footage for each Disneynature film. That’s a lot of hard work! The outtake scenes during the end credits give us an insight as to what it was like following around a troop of monkeys and the ever-changing weather of China. These are definitely worth sticking around for!
In all, Disneynature’s BORN IN CHINA is a good movie. It may not be my favorite of the series, but worth watching. And, moviegoers who see “ BORN IN CHINA” during opening week (April 21-27, 2017) will benefit the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Disneynature, via the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, will make a contribution to the WWF to help protect wild pandas and snow leopards. BORN IN CHINA is in theaters now!
BORN IN CHINA is Disneynature’s newest film. It focuses on five different animals, but they mainly focus on: the pandas (Ya Ya and Mei Mei), snowy leopards (Dawa and her cubs), and golden snub-nosed monkeys (Tau Tau and his family). The other two species are the chiru (Tibetan antelope) and the red crowned cranes. The whole movie is just so emotional.
I liked how all the animals have their own stories and personalities. It is just so amazing to see how the animals behave and react to so many things.
What I did not like was how Dawa, the snow leopard, died. (Parents, if your child is sensitive about subjects involving death and is under the age of 5, then I suggest that they should not see that part of the movie.) Other than that, the whole movie is terrific. It is just that Dawa had some painful injuries before her death.
I learned from the monkeys that family always comes first. That is something you should ALWAYS remember.
I would recommend this movie to anyone who loves animals and Disneynature films. I’m NDK and this is my review. 😉
A Disney blooded, crafty, fun-lovin’ wife/mom/organizer/planner, etc who is obsessed with all things Disney 🙂 Maria grew up with the Magic Kingdom and has loved watching WDW evolve into what it is today. A firm believer in the Power of Pixie Dust, she is the owner of The Disney Driven Life – A Community for Neurotic Disney People & a d.i.y. crafty blog, Carousel of Projects – create~inspire~share.
