Odelecol Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Gutsycurene Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

Luecarou What begins as a feel-good-human-interest story turns into a mystery, then a tragedy, and ultimately an outrage.

Kaelan Mccaffrey Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

Python Hyena 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

scatt The cinema-photography in "African Cats" was wonderful and the close-up photography was amazing - BUT the narration and anthropomorphizing of the cheetah mother and her cubs and the Lion pride was terrible and very distracting. Just why the filmmakers would minimize their hard work and time spent photographing these beautify cat families on the Masai Mara of Kenya is beyond me - no doubt, Disney, the production company, thought a story line and narration of a leading star like Samuel L. Jackson would increase box office sales. The animals have names and the cat families are depicted having adventures which might appeal more to child viewers than adults. Disney's legendary 1994 animated smash "The Lion King" had more emotional wallop..."I wish I could recommend this film, at least for the live-action photography, but I can not. If you like images of Cheetahs and Lions - and other African cats - Leopards and the Serval cat - sadly missing from the film - I'd recommend you purchase a large coffee table book with good color photographs of the cats of East Africa. I learned today, October 15, 2011, that one of the male members of the cheetah coalition of three on the Masai Mara - shown as cubs in the movie, "African Cats"- ended up a casualty due to a run in with Lions . Very sad, although such is life in the wild . . .

gradyharp African CATS stirs the anxiety of the hunt, the awe of the creatures of wild, the warmth of feeling about motherhood in general, and the inspiration to discover more about the fauna of Africa. This is a beautifully filmed study of life in the Serengeti of Kenya. Though it is a documentary about the lives of animals who live on two sides of a river that rises and recedes with seasons, the fact that it is so carefully creative and narrated by Samuel L. Jackson makes it seem like a written story. It is successful on every level.The film documents the lives of two prides of lions (the cats are given names to enhance the story)- one on either side of the unnamed river: on the north side is an old lioness and her young cub Mara who belong to a pride of lions protected by the snaggletoothed Fang. On the south side is a proud lion father of four grown sons who wish to cross the river to gain new territory. The river is filled with dangerous crocodiles and makes their desire for conquering dangerous. The story also focuses on Sita, a cheetah mother of five cubs whose relationship with her innocently adorable brood makes for another aspect of the tale: the cubs must learn to run, fight, and survive the threats of hyenas before Sita can leave them to return to her solitary life. Though there are many light moments in the film the directors Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey are careful to include the reality of life in the wild. The cycle of life is well demonstrated in the aging of the older lions - the mother of Mara and Fang - and in the problems that face the cubs as they mature.The film includes many of the fascinating birds, the wildebeests, the gazelles, giraffes, and the many other creatures who populate this eco-clime. At films end the overwhelming sense is one of tenderness in response to the family instincts of animals in the wild. The degree of love and interaction between the cubs an their mothers is not only warmly inspiring, it also sends a message about good parenting to the humans watching the film! Grady Harp

lexasdel Simple...This is well produced (if over narrated), has some good scenes and an interesting story.However, if you have ever seen any wildlife documentary funded by the BBC/Attenborough (the brother from the old guy in Jurassic park), then there is little for you in this movie.There is no new information for us; just a completely average, middle of the road Disney-produced Big Cat documentary with a Samuel L Jackson narrative. Good if you've never watched anything similar, average if you have.