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Monkey Kingdom

Monkey Kingdom (2015)

April. 17,2015
|
7.2
|
G
| Documentary

A newborn monkey and its mother struggle to survive within the competitive social hierarchy of the Temple Troop, a dynamic group of monkeys who live in ancient ruins found deep in the storied jungles of South Asia.

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Reviews

Evengyny
2015/04/17

Thanks for the memories!

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UnowPriceless
2015/04/18

hyped garbage

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Frances Chung
2015/04/19

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

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Brenda
2015/04/20

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

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maclock
2015/04/21

This film is better for children than it is for adults. For adults, the star of the show is the beautiful Sri Lankan countryside more than it is the macaques. That being said, the macaques themselves aren't without their own curious charms, even if the anthropomorphism gets to be a touch much at times.The plot -- and I use the term loosely -- centres on a female macaque who becomes a mother for the first time and has to overcome hardship and marginalisation to come out on top. This being a Disney production, of course she manages to do so and the good guys prevail in the end. It's all rather incredulous at times, but it's nicely done, particularly for a younger audience. In the end, this film proves itself to be a good choice for you and your monkeys to watch at home.

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Steve Pulaski
2015/04/22

It's almost required to see a Disneynature film with a friend or somebody you know will be an active partner during the film rather than a passive observer. Part of the fun of these films is what you bring to them in addition to what they bring to you. This is why, despite someone who prefers attending films alone, I have made it an annual tradition to go with a close friend of mine, as it turns into a quirky trip of her and I quietly voicing our own commentary during these films. They are almost throwbacks to what cinema originated as, a very involved, interactive medium that allowed for human curiosity (logic being defied, illusionist principles being explored, etc) to run wild. The Disneynature line of films are some of the last remaining films that cater to our fascination with the world around us."Monkey Kingdom" is the studio's offering for Earth Day 2015, and it comes stamped with a brief introduction that discusses how Disneynature is more than a film company, but an impacting organization that functions on a global scale. Frequent theatergoers hear how Disneynature donates all or most of their films' opening weekend revenue to getting global projects off the ground, and we go through one-by-one how the six previous films impacted something around the world.Shortly thereafter, we settle into our environment for "Monkey Kingdom:" the jungles of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka, where we are greeted with Maya, a macaque monkey who resides in the tumultuous community of monkeys. We instantly see that the monkeys have created a class system amongst themselves, with one monkey named Raja assuming the alpha male role and many others having to work their way up the system, or humbly reside at the bottom, in order to enjoy special privileges. Maya is lower on the totem pole, usually the last to garner a meal and the literal doormat for many monkeys around her. Her life becomes more both more rewarding and stressful when she welcomes Kip into her family, her newborn son.Maya's home is soon overrun by a new tribe of monkeys, who are abusive and determined to command the land, leading her, Kip, and countless other primates to seek shelter somewhere else. This leads to a trip through deep jungles and neighboring villages to try and find a new place to call home.Unsurprisingly, "Monkey Kingdom" is absolutely evocative in its photography. Directors Mark Linfield and Alastair Fothergill (who worked on last year's "Bears," the only other Disneynature film I've seen) beautifully capture the land of Sri Lanka, never minimizing its natural beauty. The closeup shots of the monkeys, in addition, are especially lovely, as we see the true features that make up the macaque species and the playfulness that inevitably ensues.But the real treat here is seeing how the life and system of monkeys isn't so different from the way that human beings are governed - by a strict ruling class that leads on fear and the enforcement of conformity costs. This is the part of the monkey environment that may destroy the fantasies of children who think being a monkey is "all fun and games," as Tina Fey, our narrator, puts it.One must remember that when they see a Disneynature film, they are seeing a piece of entertainment and not a formal nature documentary; one can see plenty of those on Television for free. "Monkey Kingdom" shows us a surprisingly different life to a species of animals many of us probably think we know pretty well, and in that sense, Disneynature has, yet again, done its job.

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chrissy
2015/04/23

Another excellent documentary from Disney Nature. I absolutely loved it, however the youngest (6) in our party was upset by a particular scene. Here are my spoiler thoughts regarding sensitivity issues:The film's narrative focuses on Maya, the lowest female of the monkey tribe. The emphasis on pack dynamics included a strong storyline about being from low class and having to fight horrible upper-class individuals. Maya basically becomes a single mother having to fight her own pack for food and shelter. It is very moving but some young people might feel uncomfortable by this theme, especially those that have suffered traumatic family issues. In one scene in particular Maya is forcefully separated from her baby. While Maya is beaten up, another monkey kidnaps the baby and won't let him go. At this point some families left the theatre. We managed to stick it out and the baby was reunited quite quickly. There are two monkey deaths that occur off-camera. The first our youngest didn't even notice that he was dead. It is very delicately maneuvered. The second is discussed by the narration and the other monkeys gather around the body. The body is obscured by foliage, though you can tell it is there. Our youngest asked if it was dead and if it was one of the "named" monkeys, which it is not.

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AllisonRoad
2015/04/24

This is the latest of the DisneyNature films and it retains the finest qualities of the previous features: amazing photography, stirring music, and enjoyable narration. Ms. Fey does a brilliant job with the script -- we laughed at all the appropriate points (and there are many). But I found myself laughing at even more points because of the wonderful, comical display of macaques being macaques. There are crises as well as tender moments but the food hunting scenes were especially wonderful.If you are familiar with DisneyNature films, you know that the credits at the end are an integral part of enjoying the film. This feature is no exception. It is a rare film when I wish the credit roll were twice as long as they are, but this is one of those films. A brilliant addition to the series. It makes you proud to be part of this amazing pageant that is life on Earth. The filmmakers are deserving as much as the good causes that the film series contributes to.

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