Love Disney, have done ever since seeing 'Cinderella' at two or three years old. Love nature documentaries, especially the landmark ones of David Attenborough (i.e. 'Planet Earth', 'Blue Planet'). Love elephants, a love as lifelong as my love for Disney ever since seeing 'Dumbo' for the first time. So no pre-conceived bias. Was a bit nervous, seeing that it was narrated by Meghan Markle (don't despise her as much as most do),who has a voice that does not sound right for documentaries.
Really do have to agree with those that didn't care for 'Elephant', after watching it on Disney Plus, and do agree completely with the criticisms that have been summed up very well already (though am going to aim to be a little kinder). There are many fine documentaries that don't have Attenborough's name on them, but 'Elephant' is not one of them. As far as the DisneyNature documentaries go, this is among the weakest. It is actually one of the better looking ones, but audibly it is another story.
'Elephant' does have good things and they are going to be begun with. Visually, it looks amazing and it is the production values that are by far the best thing about it. The scenery is enough to take the breath away, something that is obvious from the very beginning. That is enhanced by the photography, which is of cinematic quality and quite dazzling to watch.
The elephants themselves look majestic and are rootable. Jomo is utterly adorable and there were enough times where it was easy to invest in his antics. The first ten minutes are quite cute.
As aforementioned however, audibly 'Elephant' is another story. The music tries far too hard to be epic and too much of a film score, and it ends up being far too loud and over-orchestrated. Found 'Elephant' to be too over-dramatised, too sentimental and most of the moments intended to be playful came over as very cheesy and forced. Didn't feel an awful lot of emotion, any attempts didn't come over as sincere and is instead too cutesy.
Will agree with those that say that the narration fares worst. And it is not just Markle's far too over-eager, at times patronising and too Disney Singalong Song delivery. Actually still am very fond of most of the Disney Singalong Song videos but that approach was just wrong here, this needed a voice of authority, of soothing quality and gravitas like Morgan Freeman, James Earl Jones or Jeremy Irons for males and Glenn Close, Cate Blanchett or Meryl Streep for females that was trying too hard to appeal to younger audiences. But also the actual writing itself, which is very cookie-cutter, melodramatic, quite cheesy (especially the attempts to be playful and the breaking the fourth wall-like moments) and doesn't say anything illuminating or educational. Instead going for over-dramatic storytelling over facts, when there have been documentaries that have expertly balanced both. Some cute moments aside, there is a playing too safe feel here and there is not really ever a set piece that wows.
Concluding, disappointing. 4/10
Elephant
2020
Adventure / Biography / Documentary / Family
Elephant
2020
Adventure / Biography / Documentary / Family
Plot summary
African elephant Shani and her spirited son Jomo set out on an epic journey with their herd, traveling hundreds of miles across the vast Kalahari Desert, from the Okavango delta to the Zambezi River, just as countless generations of their ancestors have done before. Shani and her family are among the last elephants on earth to make these lengthy migrations. She's mother to wide-eyed, one-year-old Jomo, who has yet to experience a migration, and at 40 years old, she is next in line as herd matriarch, a position currently held by her older sister Gaia. Gaia's herd is among countless species - from hippopotamus to lechwe to baboons - that rely upon the life-giving water that flows from the mountains and transforms the heart of the desert into a green oasis known as the Okavango delta. But the season's end is near and soon there will be a mass exodus. Nothing on Earth is more precious to life than water. And perhaps nowhere is this more apparent than the Kalahari desert in southern Africa, one of the driest places on the planet. The water is receding and paradise will soon turn to dust as the delta becomes a series of vanishing pools. Gaia instinctively knows she must lead the herd directly into the baking Kalahari desert, before the remaining water holes dry up. The herd's success will depend on her experience and wisdom, which has been handed down over many generations. Just as the saying "an elephant never forgets" implies, these massive mammals have a deep connection to their past. Gaia will take her family down ancient elephant paths, networks of lines and circles - the circles being water holes the family will desperately need to cross the vast desert. Along the way, they'll seek nourishment from sources such as moisture-rich mopane leaves and baobab tree trunks filled with rainwater. As they near their destination, the herd must cross the mighty Zambezi River to reach the safe haven for which they've been searching. They must enter the shallows, where crocodiles prey upon elephant calves like Jomo, and fight a ferocious current that could draw them into the world's greatest waterfall, Victoria Falls. Fortunately, the herd has the strength and stamina to succeed and can rest while enjoying unlimited water and all the palm nuts they can shake from the trees. But within a few short months, food is scarce and the water begins its voyage back to the Okavango delta. The family must traverse the wilds of Africa, yet again. The march back to the delta will be no easy task, as the Angolan flood waters are early this year and the herd will need to make quick time. However, the emotional bonds between elephants are as strong as those between humans and the strength of family has gotten them this far. Together, Gaia, Shani, Jomo and family dare to take the shortest route - through lion country.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU 720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
Better seen than heard
Beautiful and Disposable
These DisneyNature movies are incredibly beautiful, utilizing their state-of-the-art cameras to astonishing visual results. Here, they even stepped up their game with some dreamlike, experimental time-passing montages. However, the overbearing narration (another trademark of these movies) makes it nothing more than a well-intentioned, good-hearted environmental propaganda piece for homeschool families to drool over.
Annoying voice ?
Nice scenery, but had to turn the audio off. The annoying sound attached to it, made it unbearable and impossible to enjoy. What a disappointment !