Arriving on Blu-Ray, DVD, Digital and On-Demand Tomorrow, August 21st -- Chimpanzee from Disneynature (Review)

Meet Oscar, the Young Chimp Whose Playful Curiosity and Zest
for Discovery Light Up the African Forest

 Experience the Spectacular Imagery and Stunning High-Definition Visuals on Disney Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Digital & On-Demand August 21, 2012

Disneynature Will Donate a Portion of First-Week Sales to the Jane Goodall Institute Through the “See ‘Chimpanzee,’ Save Chimpanzees” Conservation Program

On August 21, 2012, Disneynature’s most unforgettable and heartwarming adventure yet, “Chimpanzee,” debuts as a Blu-ray™ Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD), Digital and On-Demand viewing. The inspiring film follows the True-Life Adventure of Oscar, a young chimpanzee whose curiosity and zest for life showcase the intelligence and ingenuity of some of the most extraordinary personalities in the animal kingdom.

To celebrate the in-home debut of “Chimpanzee,” Disneynature is proud to continue the “See ‘Chimpanzee,’ Save Chimpanzees” conservation program initiated with the film’s theatrical release. For every purchase of the movie through August 27, 2012, Disneynature will make a donation through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) to conserve chimpanzee habitat, educate the next generation, and provide care for orphaned chimpanzees.

The conservation program tied to the theatrical release will help protect 129,236 acres (202 square miles) of wild chimpanzee habitat through infrastructure investments in the expanded Tchimpounga Nature Reserve in the Republic of Congo (Congo); educate 60,000 schoolchildren about chimpanzee conservation; and provide food and medicine for nearly all of the orphaned chimpanzees at JGI’s Tchimpounga chimpanzee sanctuary for at least the next year.

In addition to the remarkable story filmed in the depths of the African forest, the “Chimpanzee” Blu-ray Combo Pack is filled with spectacular bonus features, including in-depth behind-the-scenes footage showcasing the filmmakers’ amazing efforts to document the making of the film; a music video for the song “Rise,” written and performed by McClain Sisters; a feature on Disney’s conservation legacy; and much more.

Film Synopsis:

From Disneynature, the studio that brought you “Earth,” “Oceans,” and “African Cats,” comes “Chimpanzee” — a remarkable story of individual triumph and family bonds. Journey deep into the African forest and meet Oscar, an adorable young chimp with an entertaining approach to life. The world is a playground for little Oscar and his fellow young chimps who love creating mayhem. His playful curiosity and zest for discovery showcase the intelligence and ingenuity of some of the most extraordinary personalities in the animal kingdom. Stunning hi-definition images bring you up close and personal as Oscar and his family navigate the complex territory of the forest. It’s an inspiring and life-changing adventure that overflows with courage and charm. And it will capture your heart.

Bonus Features:
 

DVD:

• “See ‘Chimpanzee,’ Save Chimpanzees”—This feature details the “See ‘Chimpanzee,’ Save Chimpanzees” conservation program and how for every copy of the film purchased until August 27, 2012, Disneynature will make a donation to JGI to protect chimpanzees today and tomorrow. The feature also includes an interview with Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace.
• Disney’s Friends for Change—This feature highlights Disney's Friends for Change, a program that showcases steps that kids and families can take to make a positive impact on the world and the people and animals that live there.
• Disney’s Conservation Legacy—This feature provides a look at the conservation efforts that Disney sponsors around the world.

BLU-RAY: Everything on the DVD, plus …

• ON LOCATION: THE MAKING OF “CHIMPANZEE” is a series of exciting short features that delve further into the incredible lengths the filmmakers went to tell the story of Oscar and his chimpanzee family.
o 30 Years in the Making—The story of the team of researchers who have been observing chimpanzees in the Ivory Coast for 30 years.
o The Heart of the “Chimpanzee”—A behind-the-scenes look at how and why the film was made.
o Piece of the Puzzle—A cameraman’s two-hour daily trek through the forest to get to the chimpanzees.
o Don’t Blame the Tool—An observation of the chimpanzees’ daily lives and how they use rocks as tools to prepare their food.
o Scar’s Army—An inside look at the struggles between the film’s two rival chimpanzee groups who share the same forest home.
o Camp Invaders—A featurette on all the creepy, crawly creatures found at the filmmakers’ forest camp.
o Forest of Bees—A feature detailing how the crew spent two days wading through a sea of bees that inhabited their filming location in order to capture 20 seconds of footage.

• “Rise” Music Video—A music video featuring Hollywood Records recording artists McClain Sisters who wrote and performed the inspirational song that plays during the film’s end credits.
• Behind the Scenes of “Rise”—An inside look at McClain Sisters music video shoot.

DIGITAL:

• “See ‘Chimpanzee,’ Save Chimpanzees”
• Disney’s Friends for Change
• Disney’s Conservation Legacy
• “Rise” Music Video
• ON LOCATION: THE MAKING OF “CHIMPANZEE”
o 30 Years in the Making
o The Heart of the “Chimpanzee”

My Thoughts:

My husband and I stayed in this past weekend for date night and ended up watching Chimpanzee from Disneynature, which releases tomorrow on Blu-Ray and DVD combo pack, as well as digital and On-Demand.  We missed this film when it was in theaters back in the Spring, but had it on our must-watch when released to DVD list.  So, once we finally the girls to bed, we watched this film and had a nice quiet dinner together.

I remember when the film was in theaters my friends all talking about the cute little chimp, Oscar, and how you can't help but fall in love with him.  Well, they were right.  He is such a lovable guy, and makes you feel emotionally attached to him as you watch the movie.  It can't help that I have two young children, so everything about babies jugs at the heartstrings and has me in tears.  Blame it on the hormones. :-)

I have always loved chimpanzees and supported the Jane Goodall Institute.  She is such an amazing woman and really does an amazing job at bringing the awareness of chimpanzees and their behaviors to the forefront, while transforming the scientific perceptions of the relationship between humans and animals.  Prior to seeing this film, I had seen Disneynature's other award-winning films Earth and African Cats, and love how they share up-close footage to families to enjoy and talk about.  So, knowing how well these types of films are made, I knew we would love Chimpanzee.

Tim Allen narrates the film, and as soon as my husband and I heard him speak, we thought we were watching Toy Story, as we do on a daily basis with Savannah, as he voices Buzz Lightyear.  But, it was nice to hear his voice, as he did an amazing job in sharing the marvels of these creatures.  Who says a comedian can't be serious?  Well, he does a great job in being charismatic and sincere in this Disneynature film.

So, what is the movie about, besides chimpanzees.  Well, it follows the life of Oscar, a baby chimp and his mother Isha, who live in the African jungle.  Little Oscar reminded me of my girls, are they love exploring and getting into mischief (yes, even at 9 months and 2 yrs. old, they can get themselves into trouble).  I loved watching Oscar and his fellow young chimps play around and discover new things, just as babies and children do.  It is amazing to see the parallels between how both chimps and humans develop and form strong bonds.  Without films like this, we would not know how courageous these animals are, and how they are so similar in emotion and their behavioral traits as humans.  But, thanks to research and the help of Jane Goodall and her team, we can truly appreciate these animals, and sit back and enjoy watching them play in their own jungle playgrounds.  The visuals of this film are spectacular and breathtaking to watch.  Even if you are not a nature lover, you will be amazed at the plants and how they grow and add to the scenery in the wild.

Even though you can't really have a pet chimpanzee, this film makes you wish you could, as they are just so darn cute and smart.  Viewers both young and old will fall in love with this movie, and will walk away with a better understanding and appreciation for chimpanzees.  Definitely a film worth watching if you missed it when it was in theaters in April.  Or, if you did get a chance to see it in theaters, why not re-live this heartwarming story again.  I can't wait to watch this with Savannah, and see her reaction to Oscar and his family.

Stay connected with the latest “Chimpanzee” information:

• “Like” the Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/Disneynature
• Follow on Twitter www.Twitter.com/Disneynature
• Website and Mobile Site: www.Disney.com/Chimpanzee

---BUY NOW---

You can order this film on Blu-Ray and DVD when it releases tomorrow at Amazon, as well as pick up at your favorite local retailer.  Or, by renting it On-Demand, without having to worry about returning it back to the rental kiosk.

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ABOUT THE JANE GOODALL INSTITUTE

Founded in 1977, the Jane Goodall Institute continues Dr. Goodall’s pioneering research on chimpanzee behavior started more than 50 years ago—research that transformed scientific perceptions of the relationship between humans and animals. Today, the Institute is a global leader in the effort to protect chimpanzees and their habitats. It also is widely recognized for establishing innovative community-centered conservation and development programs in Africa, and Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, the global environmental and humanitarian program for youth of all ages, which has groups in more than 120 countries. For more information, please visit www.janegoodall.org.

ABOUT DISNEYNATURE

Disneynature was launched on Earth Day 2008 with the mission of bringing the world’s top nature filmmakers together to share a wide variety of wildlife stories on the big screen in order to engage, inspire, and entertain theatrical audiences everywhere. Walt Disney was a pioneer in wildlife filmmaking, producing 13 True-Life Adventure motion pictures between 1948 and 1960, which earned eight Academy Awards®. Earth (2009), Oceans (2010), African Cats (2011), and Chimpanzee (2012) are four of the top five highest overall grossing feature-length nature films to date, with Chimpanzee garnering a record-breaking opening weekend for the genre. Conservation has been a key pillar of the label, and Disneynature films empower the audience to help make a difference. Through donations tied to opening week attendance, Disneynature has planted 3 million trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest; established 40,000 acres of marine protected area in The Bahamas; protected 65,000 acres of savanna in Kenya; and contributed to efforts to educate schoolchildren, care for chimpanzees, and protect 129,236 acres of wild chimpanzee habitat in the Republic of Congo.

ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS

For more than 85 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; and Touchstone Pictures, the banner under which live-action films from DreamWorks Studios are distributed. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group

ABOUT THE “SEE ‘CHIMPANZEE’ SAVE CHIMPANZEES” CONSERVATION PROGRAM

Disneynature will contribute $.50 to the Jane Goodall Institute for the Disneynature Tchimpounga Nature Reserve Project per Blu-ray DVD Combo Pack and Digital purchase through August 27, 2012, with a minimum of $30,000 pledged to this program. Information concerning the Jane Goodall Institute can be obtained, without cost, by writing to JGI, 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22203, or by calling 703-682-9220, or by visiting www.janegoodall.org. This purchase is not tax deductible.

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this film by the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.