Monkey Kingdom (2015) User Reviews

Very impressive nature documentary

[subxerogravity · 8/10 · 21 April 2015]

I'm not really into Disney nature documentaries. I've seen a few they did in the 1960s on The Wonderful World of Disney, but the new ones they put out don't last in the theaters long enough for me to catch (Although I think I saw the one about the chimpanzees, and the one about elephants)

This one is a lot different from the old docs 50 years ago. It's very playful with the narrative and tells a more linear story voiced by Tiny Fey. What's most interesting about this is how the plot follows the Disney formula of a true underdog coming up. They must have had to do a lot of research and follow these monkeys for a long period of time to pull that off.

The story is about a single mother named Mya who's on the very bottom of the social status and must beat the odds in order to provide a better life for her son, kip.

It was so fascinating to see how the Monkey kingdom mimics the kingdom of man. Whenever someone tries to convince me that we are better than other animals (cause sometimes man forgets that's what we are). I'll have this movie to use as an example of how that's not accurate.

I went into this film not thinking much of anything but killing time, but it was not a waste of time. It was great!

Monkeying around with Disney

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 14 December 2020]

Primates are very familiar in nature documentaries. Not that that matters, as there is often a chance to see rarely seen species mixed in with those that most people know and see them doing skills one would never think they'd be capable of. Personally like primates and many types of monkeys a good deal, and have learnt something different about them every time going to my local zoo. It seemed a perfect group for DisneyNature to cover, having seen how children react whenever they see a monkey (captivated).

2015's 'Monkey Kingdom' is another solid DisneyNature documentary, but it is a long way from being one of the best ones. It's better than 'Elephant', with some of the worst narration for any DisneyNature documentary, and 'Born in China', that looked amazing but had really bad narration and a confused target audience. At the same time, 'African Cats' and from memory 'The Crimson Wing' for example were better. 'Monkey Kingdom' is definitely worth seeing for anybody that loves monkeys.

'Monkey Kingdom', like with all the DisneyNature documentaries, looks absolutely wonderful. Especially the photography, which in a very cinematic-like way stunningly captures the vibrant wonder of the scenery. The photography is also clearly in love with the animals without being self-indulgent, managing to capture vividly behaviours and skills one doesn't always see. The editing doesn't come over as too gimmicky or too chaotic.

The monkeys themselves are an absolute joy, so compellingly real in personality and both full of life and easy to root for. Enough of 'Monkey Kingdom' entertains, more the behaviour of the monkeys rather than the narration, and while there is not an awful lot that illuminates or is innovative it is educational. Much of it is incredibly charming and warms the heart, as well as moves. It is not as much of a tonal muddle as 'Born in China', there aren't scenes that are too disturbing and there is nowhere near as much that insults the intelligence. Tina Fey left me a bit mixed, she has the right kind of voice for the narrator role and has some sincerity.

Her "jokey" attempts at humour are less successful, personally like others here found it very corny, quite contrived and at times misplaced. The writing for the narration generally could have been a lot better and more focused, with more facts and less of a "trying too hard to appeal to younger viewers" vibe. Some of the pacing could have been tighter, some dull stretches here and there.

Another aspect that doesn't come over well is the music, which is far too loud and in terms of musical styles it really does not fit at all the tone or the imagery. Either being too chirpy or too playful and the pop songs really takes out of the setting.

Concluding, a good documentary but not a great one. 7/10

Moving doc, might be tough for the youngest

[chrissyafrica · 8/10 · 19 April 2015]

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.

Music and narration inappropriate & overdone

[m_kerne · 7/10 · 20 September 2018]

Pop music was really annoying and not appropriate. Narration a little overdone. Documentary would have been enjoyable and rated higher if not for these two factors. Some scenes seem obviously staged but overall, beautiful visuals and an intimate view into the animal world.

Monkeys and Sri Lanka -- What could be better?

[AllisonRoad · 10/10 · 18 April 2015]

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.

Best suited for kids

[Wizard-8 · 25 January 2016]

Previous to this documentary, I had seen several of the other animal documentaries by Disneynature, and I thought they were pretty good. However, this time around things don't work out so well. It's not an awful movie; there are some good things to be found here and there. The Sri Lankan scenery is colorful and attractive to the eye. The photography is also well done (see this movie, if you must, on Blu- ray!). And you do get to learn some interesting things about the particular kind of monkeys the movie showcases.

However, while the previous Disneynature movies were presented in a way that adults could enjoy them alongside their kids, this is not the case this time. There is an often juvenile feeling to this documentary. The Tina Fey narration is quite often cloying and childish, and several times the mood is spoiled by the soundtrack playing loud pop songs. Just as big of a problem is the direction at times. It's clear that several situations are staged and manipulated by the filmmakers. This might have been because there isn't that much story or drama elsewhere. Even though the movie runs about 81 minutes, it sure feels slow at times.

There have been much worse documentaries out there, but in the end this particular one is strictly kids stuff. It will entertain your kids (at least if they are in a patient mood at the time), but if you want to watch a documentary with your kids, pick one of the other Disneynature offerings.

Amazing visuals marred by childish commentary

[Buddy-51 · 6/10 · 5 February 2016]

"Monkey Kingdom" is a wildlife documentary done in the trademarked Disney style - that is, to say, with lots of family-friendly positiveness and unyielding good cheer.

The movie takes us deep into the jungles of Sri Lanka, where a hierarchical society of toque macaque monkeys make their home in the shadow of a long-abandoned ancient city. The main focus is on one female monkey "named" Maya, a low-born member of the community who is consigned to a lifetime of serving those born into the higher strata (the caste system here makes India look like a model of egalitarianism and social mobility in comparison).

"Monkey Kingdom" is obviously aimed at a younger audience, which explains, but doesn't quite excuse, its tendency to talk down to its audience, speaking of the animals' thoughts and feelings in the most blatantly anthropomorphic of terms. It's probably not helped by the jejune Mark Linfield narration (spoken by Tina Fey), which can't resist interjecting corny asides at every opportunity. And a lot of it sure feels staged, especially a trip to a local city and a carefully choreographed raid on a birthday party (how DO they get their cameras in all those different places? Stick around for the closing credits to get an inkling of how it's done).

On the plus side, the high-definition photography is drop-dead gorgeous, and the glimpses the movie provides into monkey sociology - not too far removed from human sociology, I must confess - is often fascinating to observe. Though, I must admit, I frequently found myself wishing the cameras would turn away from the monkeys to explore the nearby ruins - and the history behind them - instead.

"Monkey Kingdom" is a creative, fun, interesting and wonderful piece of filmmaking!

[CleveMan66 · 9/10 · 19 April 2015]

Life can be tough if you weren't born to privilege. You know and understand your place in society, but wish it were higher. You try in vain to be accepted by your betters. You see no way to improve your lot in life and all you can do is watch others enjoy the fruits of their vaunted positions, and serve them. Sufficient food and shelter are hard to come by, but you make the best of the situation. You're disregarded and sometimes outright disrespected. You might not even be free to enjoy the company and comfort of the life partner of your choice. If you become a single parent, you may find yourself even more alone than when you just had yourself to be concerned with. And this whole time, you also have to worry about those outside your society taking your food, your home, your family, even your life, knowing that your only defense is those above you who treat you with such disdain. Yes, it can be really tough being a monkey in the jungles of Sri Lanka.

"Monkey Kingdom" (G, 1:20) is the eighth feature film from Disneynature and tells the story of Maya, a female toque macaque (pronounced "muh-KAK") who finds herself in the exact situation described above. She was born at the bottom of her group's social ladder. She has to watch her fellows in the tree branches above her eat fruits and flowers, while she is forced to scavenge what she can, including the scraps which fall to the jungle floor. She watches the other monkeys play in the tower of boulders called "Castle Rock", knowing that trying to interact with them would lead to an attack by her own kind. When it rains and the higher-born use Castle Rock for shelter, Maya and the other societal cellar dwellers are literally left out in the cold. When a male macaque who has struck out on his own shows an interest in Maya, he is chased off by the others. Maya is left alone and pregnant, with no choice but to fend for herself and her little boy, Kip.

This being the jungle, there's even more for Maya and her fellow macaques to worry about besides the social order in their kingdom. First off, they have their natural predators to contend with. Steering clear of leopards and seven foot long monitor lizards will always be a priority, as will the search for food. Different seasons yield different edibles in varying amounts. Sometimes the monkeys have to get creative in their search for food, and sometimes (equally creatively), they just steal it from a nearby village. I suppose regular human people could be dangerous to encounter, but we see none of that here. In fact, we see the monkeys interact very amusingly with a variety of animals that are neither predator nor prey, to include an annoyed mongoose, some cute bear cubs and even an easy-going dog. Then again, there's also the danger of losing out on more than some nuts and berries. Castle Rock is prime jungle real estate and could be seen as very tempting by, say, a rival gang of macaques.

I had no idea that monkeys had such a strict social order. And that's not all that surprised me. I don't want to spoil anything by describing some of the other things I saw monkeys do in this movie, because, unless you're a monkologist (yeah, I just made that up), you're likely to be surprised as well. But there's a lot more to this movie than simply an educational journey through the wilds of an island nation in the Indian Ocean. The movie features magnificent cinematography and editing, along with Tina Fey perfectly narrating a script that is accessible, interesting, clever and fun. Technically, this is a documentary, but it feels much more like a well-planned story, only you can't plan this stuff. There's real drama here, situations to which most people can relate and even a touch of a Disney princess story.

"Monkey Kingdom" is definitely not your grandparents' nature program. This movie is beautiful, thrilling, fun and educational in a way that you'll thoroughly enjoy. I had the pleasure of seeing this movie with three generations of a family with whom I am very close. The youngest member is three years old and was experiencing her very first movie in a theater. This child, who is normally very… energetic (choosing my words carefully because my friends will be reading this review), was as happy and calm as I've ever seen her (awake) and, for much of the movie, she was rapt, as was her mother and grandmother, and me. Whether you're 3, 23, 43 or 93, I can hardly imagine anyone of any age not enjoying this wonderful movie. "A"

If Only Tina Fey Would Have Shut Her Mouth

[strong-122-478885 · 6/10 · 12 March 2018]

Monkey see. Monkey do.

From a strictly visual perspective only - Disneynature's "Monkey Kingdom" was, indeed, a super-impressive wildlife documentary. There's no question about it.

The excellent camerawork that took an up-close look at the macaque monkeys (with their "natural" bowl-cut hairdos) hanging out in the ruins of an abandoned temple in the jungles of Sri Lanka was truly awesome, to say the least.

Boy, these chattering, little critters (whose babies were so ugly they were actually cute) certainly were totally obsessed with grooming each other.

But - On the down side - This presentation's irksome, voice-over narration delivered by Tina Fey (who was trying so desperately to be funny) stank, big-time.

I really loathed Fey's commentary that kept trying to "humanize" these wild animals and reduce them to being a quaint, little novelty-act straight out of a pop-culture, fast-food, TV commercial.

Disney Nature Again Inspires

[RileyOnFilm · 10/10 · 1 July 2015]

Every time one of these Disney Nature films comes out, my wife and I are Johnny on the spot to take our family. The last 2 we saw at the world famous El Capitan theater in Hollywood. This one we saw in the theater here. It was amazing as expected. It presented the idea of a natural order, potentially upset by the underdog. I will give you no spoils as to the outcome. I felt this movie broke away from the convention Disney has used in the past and brought us some inspiration practically applied. It's fitting that Disney, the champion of Princes and Princesses in the movies, challenges that concept. Our family liked that most about the film.

For a nature film, this movie is perfect in every way. Every family with young children will love it. The incredible architecture of the fallen monument they make their home is spectacular. It's a perfect way to tell a story. I would imagine the recipe for making these things is sort of like: 1) Put cameras everywhere and shoot 2) look for what can be made into a story and 3) Make it into a story. Obviously the monkeys are not actors. Cheap labor right? Wait until the union hears about it. The monkey union? At any rate, there is love, struggle, heartbreak, and all the emotions of families trying to make it. Though the monkey's nature is a different house than ours, it doesn't take much imagination to see the connections to being a human in our society. This one's a winner. I give it 5/5.

The Vidiot Reviews....

[capone666 · 7/10 · 2 September 2015]

Monkey Kingdom

The best thing about being a part of an ape empire is that you can rest assure that your children will never have lice for long.

In fact, grooming one another is only one of the odd practices featured in this simian documentary.

When female toque macaque Maya migrates to the remains of an antediluvian jungle temple in Sri Lanka called Castle Rock, she learns quickly that the roost is ruled over by alpha macaque Raja and three sister monkeys.

Banished to the bottom of the food chain, Maya must now struggle to feed her newborn Kip, whose father Kumar has since flown the coop.

Painstakingly captured on-camera by Disneynature's intrepid film crew and wittily narrated by Tina Fey, Monkey Kingdom is a comical and captivating look at the social disorder of our distant cousins.

In fact, any more poop flinging and this could pass as a reality TV show.

Green Light

vidiotreviews.blogspot.ca

A Terrific Documentary By TheGreat Walt Disney.

[Open-mindedMuslimWoman · 10/10 · 17 April 2015]

Monkey Kingdom is a 2015 nature documentary film directed by Mark Linfield and Alastair Fothergill and narrated by Tina Fey. The documentary is about a family of monkeys living in ancient ruins founded in the jungles of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka.

Maya is a toque macaque whose world is changed when her son Kip becomes part of her extended family. Maya's family has its share of diverse personalities and she wishes her son to have the best advantages for advancing within the family's social strata. When their home is overrun by a neighboring tribe of monkeys, the family has to find a new home. Maya uses her inherent smarts to lead the family to new resources, but it develops that the entire group will have to cooperate in order to reclaim their original home, where Maya wishes to advance her son's future within the family.

Indeed A Terrific Movie From The Great Walt Disney Who Make Perfect Films.

This is not a documentary.

[tomasz-opolski · 6/10 · 18 November 2019]

The suggested interpretation is firm. Producers narrative is strictly enforce. Thus it is not a documentary but drama film starring monkeys. Overall film is really pleasant to the eye and we see some monkey behavior so strong 6.

Disney...just stop....please stop!

[planktonrules · 4/10 · 4 January 2020]

The Disneynature documentaries are an odd lot. One one hand, they have the best cinematography you could imagine--going to many amazing and beautiful places around the globe in the process. And, the cinematographers are able to get some stunning footage of animals in the wild. However, many of these documentaries ALSO feature some of the most annoying and inane narration you could ever find in a nature documentary. Of them, "Monkey Kingdom" might just be the worst due to this awful narration and 'funny bits' they've included to appeal to dumber members of the audience....which is odd, as I cannot imagine dumb people going to see these films.

I knew I was in trouble when this film began. This is because over top of the stunning footage in Sri Lanka of the featured macaques, you suddenly are treated to the song "Hey, Hey, We're the Monkees"!! It made me cringe. Also cringe-worthy is some of the stuff they have Tina Fey say, such as "15 pounds of hunky monkey"! What?! It seems as if "Mystery Science Theater 3000" and a nice documentary have been merged into one!

The bottom line is that this film and a few other Disney documentaries would make biologists and most audience members cringe. I loved their "African Cats" and "Crimson Wing"....but films like "Monkey Kingdom" and "Bear" and "Born in China" are all like documentaries for the incredibly immature. You could do a lot better than "Monkey Kingdom" because of this...and because unlike the other subjects in the Disney documentaries, it's hard to feel connected to or care for these homely macaques.

less scholarly but plenty entertaining

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 18 March 2018]

It's a Disney nature documentary following a troop of macaque monkeys living on Castle Rock in Sri Lanka. Maya is a lowborn female living at the bottom of the social group. With the arrival of the new male Kumar, the alpha male Raja notices and drives out Kumar. Six months later, Kip is born.

Monkeys! Monkeys! More Monkeys! It's great. It's also informative with insights into their social structure. It's hilarious when they steal from people. The most notable difference from other nature documentaries is the narration of Tina Fey and the use of modern music. Tina's got a sarcastic tone which is quite different from the usual British legends, the Attenboroughs. She's American comedy compared to the British high-minded light humor. This is not as scholarly but it's plenty entertaining. The climatic conflict is actually intense. This may be the new era for nature documentaries.

Wonderful documentary, especially if you like monkeys!

[rannynm · 10/10 · 15 April 2015]

Monkey Kingdom opened my mind to learning about animals in the wild! This is a great nature documentary, especially if you like monkeys and, contributions from ticket sales of this movie will help save the monkeys in south Asia.

Monkey Kingdom begins with an explanation of how a certain group of monkeys live. Specifically, it focuses on Maya and her baby, who are considered the lowest of the group. It discusses their lifestyle, their routines and how they have to deal with the different seasons and the weather. They also talk about their struggle for survival. Finding food, especially for the ones at the bottom of the tree, is a challenge. These monkeys have a king and three queens. It is amazing that even though they are monkeys, they still have a social hierarchy.

My favorite part of this movie is when all the monkeys are playing with each other and swinging from their homemade "original" jungle gym. I also like the part when the lower class runs out of food and have to find a way to survive. They locate the humans' house and raid their kitchen. They even confiscate all the eggs from the hen house!! It is hysterical to see a monkey running off with a sub sandwich.

My favorite character is Kip, Maya's son! He is a cute baby monkey that is so innocent and, most of the time, has no idea what is going one. He depends on his mom for protection. Maya is on the low end of the social hierarchy. She is a female monkey with a nice personality unlike the three sister queens who act as if they own everything. I love how Maya protects her baby at all costs. Tina Fey is a wonderful narrator for this, giving a clear understanding of what is taking place.

The thrust of this documentary is to raise money to help maintain the habitat of monkeys that live in the jungles of South Asia. I recommend this film for kids age 6 through 18. Both boys and girls will enjoy it because, who can resist watching monkeys play. I rate this movie a five out of five dazzling stars! Be sure to check it out when it comes out in theaters on April 17, 2015.

Reviewed by Haley P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. For more reviews by kids, go to kidsfirst dot org.

Monkey Kingdom

[Simarium · 7/10 · 2 August 2018]

Fun and informative, low-stress movie to watch, with good narration.

A species we think we know, despite not knowing how connected we are

[StevePulaski · 8/10 · 25 April 2015]

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.

Better for kids

[maclock · 28 June 2015]

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.

DisneyNature hits home run

[Michael_Arm · 7/10 · 27 September 2021]

With a little over 2yrs of film, this documentary captures what life is like for a troop of toque macaques in the jungle of Sri Lanka. Detailing the struggles of hierarchy that is all too reminiscent of the social structure of humans. Following the life of Maya and her new son Kip as they go through life on the bottom only to rise to the top with newly crowned alpha male Raja.

Filmmakers did very little staging to complete this film and were helped by Dr. Wolfgang Dittus who acted as consultant and helped detail the interactions and activity that took place putting together a wonderful story of struggle, achievement, & the importance of family.

Must watch for children of all ages!

Family friendly, informative, and beautiful documentary

[Shengalang · 8/10 · 10 September 2015]

Summary: A nature documentary that follows a newborn monkey and its mother as they struggle to survive within the competitive social hierarchy of the monkey kingdom, a dynamic group of monkeys who live in ancient ruins found deep in the storied jungles of South Asia.

This is a great nature documentary to buy for your kids.They show you the playful and human side of this group of monkeys and it's all narrated by a female voice actor who has a warm and gentle voice. The documentary has a very story-telling feel to it that I'm sure your kids will love. Do be careful though, there are deaths in this documentary. It kind of surprised me at first that they would put that scene in this movie, but in the end it kind of made sense. It was done in a respectful way to show the viewers what it was like in the monkey kingdom. They cover all the basis and provided some great shots of the environment around them. Overall, very informative and children friendly documentary.

Monkey Shines: DisneyNature wins again

[george.schmidt · 9/10 · 18 April 2015]

MONKEY KINGDOM (2015) ***1/2 DisneyNature's latest in its franchise of incredible cinematography captures the lives of a tribe of Indonesian based simians focusing on a single mother dubbed Mia and her newborn son, Kip facing the daily hardships of survival, foraging for food and avoiding political factions amongst its members (yep you heard me). While the scenes of the wooded jungles are truly amazing, the mother/son relationship is truly the heart beat of the film as the family makes do with what they are given and showing just how brutal life can be amongst the predators and other dangers faced. Narrated by Tina Fey with just enough comic relief particularly in the rambunctious monkeys visiting a local town and eating everything in site including the crashing of a child's birthday party (!) (Dirs: Mark Linfield and Alastair Fothergill)

Beautifully filmed

[GrammarMatters · 8/10 · 4 August 2019]

Watch this on Blue Ray if you can, or 4K or the highest definition you're able to - because this is gorgeously filmed, in very high definition, with great clarity and stunning scenery.

This documentary is also surprisingly political. It describes the dominance hierarchy in a way that compares interestingly to human society. An interesting comparison is how the non-dominant members of the monkey clan suffer with the last scraps of the food and hang out in the worst parts of the trees and suffer more wet conditions during the monsoons, whereas the dominant members of the clan hang out in the best locations and get all the best food.

It's interesting to compare how this physical stress on the lower 'casts' of the monkey clan compares to how poor people suffer greater psychological stress (in some or many ways), and their physical health suffers as well. More wealthy people eat better and live longer. It's interesting to see this similarity in the monkey clan.

The Social Order of the Macaque Monkey

[romanorum1 · 8/10 · 28 February 2017]

This Disney Studios (Disneynature) feature focuses on a community of about fifty macaque monkeys who inhabit the jungles of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka. As they like to dwell around the ancient temple ruins near Castle Rock now overgrown by jungle flora, they are known in the film as the Temple Troop. These monkeys are bound by a caste system, a strict social order that determines even what they eat. In the most prized fig tree, only those at the top capture the best and ripest fruit. Raja, the alpha male, is the king, supported by the three queens (the "Sisterhood") who back him. They and their offspring get what they want. As we descend the tree, the lesser monkeys get the lesser produce. At the bottom of the fig tree lowly Maya gets the scraps. The "high-born" monkeys even get the sunnier, warmer branches while the others shiver on the colder ones below. Before the movie ends Maya will ascend the top of the tree. This is her story.

Lone male monkey Kumar enters the group during mating season, but is expelled by the alpha monkey Raja. Six months later, his offspring through Maya is born ("Kip"). During the heavy downpours of the rainy season Castle Rock makes a great shelter for the alpha monkeys. But the others suffer from the cold and dampness. One day a year is feast time for the lowly, when the termites come out. Cassata leaves are tasty, but only for the alphas. Needing to eat to form milk for Kip, Maya goes to the lily pond, where there is food but also predators. She swims for the tasty lily-seed pods (underwater plants). Eventually Maya and friends enter a human house at the forest edge and take all kinds of foods and leave a mess.

Kumar eventually returns, smarter and stronger. He brings jackfruit as a bribe to Raja, who accepts the gift. Raja will need Kumar as a rival monkey group moves in, led by Rex. But Lex's group wins by tactical trickery and Raja's clan has to evacuate. The troop travels beyond the forest to the city to regroup; Maya becomes a queen as she has learned to take food from the humans. The journey further blurs the distinction between high-born and low-born. Out of their element, the alphas are bewildered, and strong Kumar takes the lead. Fortified, the Troop is ready to return to Castle Rock and regain the lost homeland. At Castle Rock the Troop attacks. Lex's group retreats as Kumar lays his claim as King of the Castle. Along with him, Maya and Kip - and his new sister – will live well as alphas. During the end credits the macaque monkeys approach the cameramen and "inspect" camera equipment.

Yes, there is anthropomorphizing as the narrative of Tina Fey imposes human emotions on these animals. After all, the characters are animals, not humans. Does Maya really fight to beat the odds, or did she just get lucky and mate with a strong male? And were some parts of the film staged, like, for instance, the birthday party invasion where the humans are outside but the monkeys (and camera crew) are inside? Still, the filmmakers do not interfere and allow the monkeys to do their part like realizing their social structure and capturing their intimate close-ups: eating, sleeping, grooming, and playing. We also see their interaction with other animals, such as a mongoose and a langur. Animals in the story include bears, deer, Asian elephants, and predators such as a leopard and a seven-foot long monitor lizard. Disney has always done well with animal documentaries going back to the "True-Life Adventures" series. This one should please animal lovers everywhere.

Much more than a monkey tale

[drcommunicator · 9/10 · 5 May 2015]

Monkey Kingdom.

Another magnificent slice of Disney magic has just hit the big screen, this time a Disney Nature production the Monkey Kingdom. The Temple Troop of Sri Lankan monkeys has a social hierarchy that could put Washington DC to shame. At the bottom of that social ladder is the fantastic Maya. One day a handsome young male interloper happens by the Temple Troop. His name is Kumar and he immediately captures the full and complete attention of Maya. They share a mutual affection but Kumar is soon driven from the troop by the ruling alpha male and upper tier ladies. Nevertheless Kumar leaves more than just a memory as several months after his departure Maya gives birth to their son Kip.

The harsh realities of jungle life are beautifully displayed by the Disney film makers and charmingly told with the narration by Tina Fey and the brilliant direction of Mark Linfield and Alastair Fothergill. As time goes on the charmed life of the Temple Troop is deeply disrupted by a competitive group of insurgent monkeys who drive the Temple Troop from their home. Upon fleeing their jungle home the Temple Troop soon finds itself having to deal with an urban jungle in Sri Lanka. They adapt and they survive largely due to the skills of Maya and her solid commitment to her little monkey son Kip.

But they cannot remain forever in the city and soon they head back with the intent to recapture their jungle home. On their way back they are rejoined by Kumar who ultimately emerges as the new alpha male leader of the troop and the loving mate of Maya.

It's all cute and charming, of course, but in truth it is far more powerful than that. I saw in both Kumar and Maya something we can all learn and benefit from. That something is an unstoppable will. Maya was never going to abandon her son. She was also not going to simply accept life as an urban monkey but rather was committed to a successful return to her jungle home. Kumar, while once driven from his beloved Maya was not about to forever leave her. He returned the his Maya and their son Kip and he soon changed from outcast to Troop leader because he was blessed with an unstoppable will. That message alone is well worth the movie. And happily there is so much more.

It has all of the beauty and joy common in Disney nature films, but it also has one of the most powerful of all messages to the world. Never ever quit. Against all odds don't back down.