To me, this movie is perfection.

Memorable, crazy movie

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

This documentary was funny, dramatic, action-packed and suspenseful, and quite honestly one of the most fascinating and beautiful documentaries I've ever had the pleasure of watching. Stunningly shot in high definition, this is definitely best viewed on Blu Ray. Be sure to watch the end credits, as well - its hilarious!

African Cats (2011): Dir: Alastair Fothergill, Keith Scholey / Narrator: Samuel L. Jackson: Breathtaking scenes of Africa and the survival of several species including two families of cats. One problem seems to be with the title in that there doesn't seem to be any footage of the other African cat, the leopard. It rounds off the three big cat species normally studied in Africa but it is never so much as mentioned in this documentary. Nonetheless, that doesn't prevent this film from being entertaining and adventurous in its own right. We have a pride of lions led by Fang whose tooth is hanging from a previous battle. We are given the sense that his time as leader is nearing an end. On the other side of the crocodile infested river are four male lions bent on taking over. They are led by Kali and he and his sons failed one potential takeover thanks to the lionesses but they will return in greater numbers. Layla is an aged lioness who was injured when kicked by a zebra. She hopes that her sister will adopt her cub Mara so that she may die in peace. Sita is a cheetah mother with five cubs although during one scary night hyenas make off with two of them. She must raise her three remaining cubs as well as fend off male cheetahs as well as their worst enemy, lions. Again, no sign or mention of leopards and that is an alarming case given the subject matter. Directed by Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey with Samuel L. Jackson providing the narration, the film is entertaining with plenty of suspense as two different species of female cats struggle to raise their cubs in the harsh reality of the African plains. Score: 9 / 10

Disney Nature's new documentary could definitely have been more imaginatively titled, but it's still an impressively mounted experience for wildlife lovers, and feline fanatics especially. The film-makers forego an information-filled Attenborough-style narrative, instead favoring the incongruous delights of Samuel L Jackson regaling us with a 'true life adventure' like some hoary old story-teller reading from a children's tome. Some may find this non-scientific approach condescending, but there's no denying the film offers visual spectacle on an epic scale and an intimate, involving account of life for these surprisingly vulnerable killers.Fang is an aging lion struggling to look after his pride while contending with the usurping efforts of some younger competition. His sheba is trying to do the best for her cub Mara, stuck between her loyalty to Fang and the security that the more virulent lions on the other side of the river might offer. As the two groups come to blows over food, territory and leadership, it becomes clear that Fang's days may be numbered. Meanwhile, Sita is a cheetah with five rambunctious cubs, who are prized as coveted meals for many of the animals sharing their domain. Her efforts to protect, feed and teach them put her in mortal danger not only from enemies from other species but also their own.As the beautifully captured seasons come and go, drastically affecting the awesome landscape, we witness the cats face many hardships despite being so high up in their food chain. Motion capture and slo-mo are judiciously deployed to generate wonder and tension, with the film's narrowed focus really giving the audience time to appreciate the African countryside, while several sequences of our subjects in peril prove as heart-stopping as a well-orchestrated horror movie. The soundtrack also adds to the atmosphere despite being somewhat predictably crafted and employed. The stories of the lions and the cheetahs are nicely balanced and bring some dynamic variety to the footage; the bigger cats are as impressive and noble as you'd expect, but the cheetahs often steal the show, thanks to the cubs' undeniable cuteness and Sita's mind-boggling multi-tasking prowess and intelligence.Jackson really does attack his narration with all the relish of a new father indulging his kids at bedtime, making Daniel Craig's po-faced voice-over for the recent One Life film seem joyless and disheartening in comparison. The use of character names does actually help the audience keep track of the cats, even though the attempts to characterize them are sometimes laid on a little too thick. Keith Scholey and John Truby's script invests proceedings with even more humor and pathos than they would already have, and for the most part directors Scholey and Alastair Fothergill know just when to let the action speak for itself. There's also a cringe-worthy but amusing credit roll, where the various animals are assigned appropriate film-making roles; giraffes posing as crane operators are just the tip of the iceberg. It's something of a novelty but also represents icing on the cake for a film that has been more lovingly assembled than you might expect.Cynics will point to the film's release coinciding with that of The Lion King to accuse Disney of trying to fleece families, while some will find the child-friendly voice-over cloyingly sentimental, but it marks a bit of a change for cinematic nature documentaries and at least they had the good sense to stick to 2D. Cat-lovers young and old will be delighted with this release, and it truly deserves to be experienced on the big screen. By concentrating so steadfastly on such a particular topic, Disney have made a wonderfully immersive and invigorating film, even if it's not particularly enlightening. The film may gloss over its stars' violent nature and assemble footage in a way that manipulates audience sympathy while slightly toning down the harsh reality, but African Cats is an unexpected pleasure to behold, coming as a breath of fresh air in an often stuffily rarefied genre.

African Cats is unlike any film based on the animal kingdom I've ever seen before. Its entertaining AND educational from the swift but patient Cheetah to the fierce but nurturing Lioness. Its all-natural and a great story. Its almost like a wholesome version of the Lion King--which was one of the greatest legends of all time. Its basically a story about 2 family-based feline mothers who would do ANYTHING for their cubs--they shake off "poison dart frogs" to ensure their young's survival and would die for them. They are the best moms any baby mouse-or most vulnerable creature in the world-could ask for. They're as human as they are animal. My mother and I could really relate to a lot of what the animals were going through: sadness, anger, happiness,fear, pain,etc. The mother cats loved their children unconditionally, let them 'beat' them up,constantly worried about them, and were protective of their family...hey just like our moms! Who woulda thunk? Their world is so fascinating yet so familiar. I learned a lot about animals-and people-by watching this amazing film. But how they went about filming the majestic creatures without being noticed is beyond me (perhaps JK lent them an invisibility cloak.) I like that it was so REAL. But I'm not going to lie, at times I yelled: 'Dont just stand there cameramen, do something! They're in trouble, intervene!' But sadly its best if we don't for a number of reasons :( God is watching over them and did I mention they have 9 lives? Its the great circle of life, this movie is. It shows the good, the bad, and the beautiful. If they just showed us the positive, what would we learn? Only what we want to learn. And that wouldn't do us any good. On a side note, I thought the narration made the film more interesting and exciting. All in all, African Cats is a great documentary and an even better story! Its truly one of a kind and unique ;) The footage captured in it is unbelievably breathtaking! The film is a lion in its prime. Its great for Disney fans and even better for animal lovers. But then again I think anyone would enjoy not to mention learn from this film and take it to heart. I would definitely recommend this movie to friends (perferably teens and adults.) I just love it and hope you'll feel the same way =] I will never forget the scene where the elephant goes out of his way to save the day!