Born in China

With Earth Day approaching tomorrow, the 22nd, it's once again time to release another one of Disneynature's documentaries entitled "Born in China". You know, the same guys that brought us "Earth" '07, "Oceans" '09, "African Cats" '11, "Chimpanzee" '12, "Bears" '14 and "Monkey Kingdom" '15. This installment of the franchise is as stunning and descript as its predecessors.

 

Narrated by John Krasinski ("Leatherheads" '08, "Promised Land" '12, "Aloha" '15, "13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi" '16, "The Hollars" '16), Disneynature's new True Life Adventure film "Born in China" takes an epic journey into the wilds of China where few people have ever ventured. Following the stories of three animal families, the film transports audiences to some of the extreme environments on Earth to witness some of the most intimate moments ever captured in a nature film. A doting panda bear mother guides her growing baby as she begins to explore and seek independence. A two-year-old golden snub-nosed monkey who feels displaced by his new baby sister joins up with a group of free-spirited outcasts. And a mother snow leopard-- an elusive animal rarely caught on camera, faces the very real drama of raising her two cubs in one of the harshest and most unforgiving environments on the planet. Featuring stunning never-before-seen imagery, the film navigates China's vast terrain-- from frigid mountains to the heart of the bamboo forest-- on the wings of red-crowned cranes-- seamlessly tying the extraordinary tales together.

 

This was intricately directed by China renowned, Chuan Lu ("The Missing Gun" '02, "Mountain Patrol" '04, "City of Life and Death" '09, "The Last Supper" '12, "Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe" '15). Interestingly, this is Lu's first documentary he's helmed, and he made this look like he's a consummate pro at it. It was extremely well edited by Matthew Meech, which working with Lu, the two were able to make this flow like water. I would love to see Lu direct another one of Disneynature's True Life Adventures considering his amazing talent here. It was well written by David Fowler, Brian Leith, Phil Chapman and Lu. Again, the fluidity was amazing whereas it almost seemed like narrator Krasinski was telling a story instead of just stating facts. This added to the drama and excitement of the production. Of course, the real stars here were the cinematographers, Justin Maguire, Shane Moore, Rolf Steinmann and Paul Stewart. The film was breathtakingly photographed with painstaking setups. Between the extreme weather, which could change radically within a half hour, and simply waiting even longer for the right shot of all the animals while in their natural habitat, this documentary is one to see and on the large screen to take in all the sweeping vistas.

 

Every year or so, I always look forward to seeing yet another Disneynature film. They all have been breathtaking and awesome, telling us a story about something our world has to offer us. This story is every bit as amazing as its predecessors and in seeing these films, maybe, just maybe we will look at our planet in a whole new light.

 

Out of 4 Stars: 4                                       Rated: G                                     81mins.