African Cats is a wonderfully filmed animal documentary aimed at a young audience. Though adults may feel they've seen it all before; the younger generation are introduced to an African savannah that looks postcard-perfect, inhabitants that are adorable, if not a little ruthless, and extraordinary wildlife footage.
What is different here is the way the story is presented. The two group of animals the film follows - two rival lion prides battling over territory and a cheetah raising her five cubs alone - have been named and personalised. In effect this technique turns the animals into characters who will appeal to kids, and it makes for a passable story even if it feels contrived at times.
Samuel L. Jackson narrates and brings to life the dangers these animals face from each other and the ever-present crocodiles that inhabit the river. It can be terribly cute - someone, somewhere will be asking for a lion cub for Christmas this year - and if you're worrying how the kids will cope with more brutal aspects of life on the savannah, then don't. African Cats mostly features impressive games of tag, and while they don't always end well for the zebras and gazelles, the footage doesn't stretch to full-on carcass gorging.
With dramatic time-lapse weather sequences, slow motion shots of very fast animals, romantic aerial footage and close-ups that'll have you wondering if the cameraman was lounging with the lions, there is plenty here for animal fans of all ages to admire. Just bear in mind the storyline and narration are aimed at providing a gentle, and at times humorous, introduction to life on the African plains - for kids.
Stars: 3/5
Narrated by: Samuel L. Jackson
Director: Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill
Running Time: 83 mins
Rating: G
Verdict: Beautifully shot true-life depiction of the circle of life.
