Chimpanzee Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A baby chimp loses his mom and gets adopted by the head honcho, proving that even in the jungle, single dads can rock it if they really try…and if they have a taste for cracking nuts.

🍿 Chimpanzee: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Life with Isha

The film introduces Oscar, a young chimpanzee living with his mother, Isha, in the Tai Forest. They are part of a troop led by the alpha male, Freddy. Oscar is learning essential skills from Isha, like cracking nuts with rocks and finding food.

The Rival Troop and Loss

A rival troop of chimpanzees, led by Scar, challenges Freddy’s troop for territory rich in nuts. During one of these conflicts, Isha is separated from Oscar and fatally injured. Oscar is now orphaned and alone.

Oscar’s Struggle for Survival

Orphaned, Oscar struggles to survive on his own. He’s too young to find food and is rejected by the other female chimpanzees in the troop, who are focused on their own offspring. Oscar becomes increasingly weak and vulnerable.

An Unexpected Adoption

In a surprising turn of events, Freddy, the alpha male who previously showed no interest in young chimps, adopts Oscar. He shares food with Oscar, carries him on his back, and protects him. This unprecedented bond has implications for the troop.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Oscar (N/A): A playful young chimpanzee who is orphaned and must learn to survive in the jungle.
• Isha (N/A): Oscar’s loving and protective mother who teaches him essential survival skills.
• Freddy (N/A): The alpha male of the chimpanzee troop who surprisingly adopts Oscar after he’s orphaned.
• Scar (N/A): The aged leader of a rival chimpanzee tribe that threatens Oscar’s troop.
• Narrator (Tim Allen): Provides a humorous and informative voiceover guiding the audience through the chimpanzees’ world.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Tim Allen (Narrator): “For Oscar, every day is an adventure.” – This tagline sets the tone for the film, highlighting the playful and exploratory nature of young Oscar’s life.
• Tim Allen (Narrator): “Chimpanzees are much smarter than I ever thought.” – A quote reflecting the educational aspect of the documentary, emphasizing the intelligence and complex social behaviors of chimpanzees.
• Tim Allen (Narrator): “This is the best nature movie ever!” – Describing the amazing journey into the beautiful African rain forest and seeing the chimpanzees live their lives.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $28,972,764
• Worldwide Gross: $34,823,764

💥 Chimpanzee Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went in not knowing what to expect from a Disneynature film. I was immediately drawn into Oscar’s story, especially the part where he’s trying so hard to crack those nuts! It’s like watching a kid struggle to ride a bike. When Freddy steps in, it’s a total tearjerker moment! The movie definitely made me appreciate how much we have in common with these amazing creatures.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Nature documentary enthusiasts”
  • “Families looking for educational viewing”
  • “Animal lovers, especially those interested in primates”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Animal conflict and territorial battles”
  • “Implied death of a parent figure”
  • “Brief scenes of hunting”

Professional Reviews

• Reilly Reviews: “Chimpanzee elicits empathy by showing how chimpanzees mirror human behaviors. While visuals are stunning, Tim Allen’s narration overshadows the documentary, failing to delve deeper into complex themes. The movie, marketed for children, lacks critical depth, unlike documentaries like Earth. Enjoyable for documentary fans, but shortchanges itself in its adolescent focus.
• Kids First!: “Kids First! critics unanimously loved Chimpanzee, praising its heartwarming portrayal of family bonds and the chimps’ intelligence. They found Tim Allen’s narration humorous and appreciated the film’s stunning cinematography. The emotional connection with Oscar and Isha, coupled with educational content, makes this a standout nature film for families.
• Chris Pandolfi: “Pandolfi praises the film’s intimate look at chimpanzee rituals, but criticizes Tim Allen’s casual narration, finding it lacking authority and occasionally too comedic. He acknowledges the filmmakers’ efforts, evident in the behind-the-scenes footage, but suggests the film could have been more impactful with a more serious tone.

Audience Reactions

Visually stunning and heartwarming documentary suitable for the whole family.: Many viewers appreciated the film’s ability to engage audiences of all ages without being overly graphic or disturbing, praising the impressive cinematography and the emotional connection to the chimpanzee characters.

Tim Allen’s narration was seen as a hit or miss element, some loved it, others found it distracting.: Reviewers were mixed, with some finding it amusing while others felt it detracted from the documentary’s seriousness and educational value.

Overall Consensus: Chimpanzee is a visually appealing and heartwarming documentary, but opinions are divided regarding Tim Allen’s narration style.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film crew spent three years working on the film in the remote Tai Forest to capture the intimate details of the chimpanzees’ lives.”
• “The film highlights the importance of tool use among chimpanzees, a learned behavior passed down through generations.”
• “Christophe Boesch, director of the Department of Primatology of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, worked for the film crew as an expert consultant during the filming.”

🖥️ How to Watch Chimpanzee?

Chimpanzee is a Disneynature documentary available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services like Disney+.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Chimpanzee, you might like these similar films:

• Earth (2007): A visually stunning nature documentary from Disneynature that captures the beauty and fragility of our planet.
• African Cats (2011): Another Disneynature documentary that follows the lives of lions and cheetahs in the African savanna, highlighting their struggles for survival.
• Winged Migration (2001): A documentary that follows the migratory patterns of birds across the globe, showcasing incredible aerial footage and the challenges they face.
• Jane (2017): A documentary focusing on Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking work with chimpanzees in Tanzania, providing a deeper understanding of their behavior and social structures.

🛒 Chimpanzee Related Products

• Chimpanzee [Blu-ray]: Relive Oscar’s incredible journey in stunning high definition. This Blu-ray offers immersive visuals, allowing you to fully appreciate the Tai Forest’s beauty and the chimps’ heartwarming story.
• Jane Goodall: A Life in Photographs: A collection of rare photographs documenting Jane Goodall’s remarkable life and groundbreaking research on chimpanzees. A tribute to her dedication and passion.
• Wild Republic Chimpanzee Plush: An adorable chimpanzee plush toy, made with high-quality materials. Perfect for kids and adults alike, this plushie captures the charm and curiosity of chimps.
• Chimpanzee Board Game: Engage your family with this movie-inspired board game, navigating the forest and solving puzzles along the way!

🎧 Soundtrack

Chimpanzee features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “That Man” – performed by Caro Emerald

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

She Can Speak Chimpanzee

Ever wonder who the real-life inspiration behind caring for chimps is? This short doc about Jane Goodall is super inspiring and shows how one person can make a huge difference. You’ve gotta see this!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=HViQX1x1jf0

Into the Forest with Jane Goodall!

Want to learn more about chimpanzees and the amazing woman who dedicated her life to them? This SciShow Kids video breaks down Jane Goodall’s incredible work in a fun and easy-to-understand way. It’s actually pretty fascinating!

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