Chimp Empire – Review
4 Episodes, Rated TV-PG
Directed by James Reed
Narrated by Mahershala Ali
**NOTE: this post may be updated with audio once we actually have the chance to talk about it. Until then, you can read Mark’s review below. Remember, though, you can listen to all our discussions of this and every other movie directly over on ACAST. Stay tuned.**
Synopsis:
A vast community of chimpanzees thrives in a forest in Uganda, navigating complex social politics, family dynamics, and dangerous territory disputes.
Nature documentaries should all be this compelling. Not content with simply presenting the chimps as they live in the Ngogo region of Uganda, director James Reed presents us with a compelling social story that doesn’t end with simply Birth, Life, Death, but rather a complex familial and geopolitical saga.
Competing groups, led by their respective “Alphas,” compete for the twin resources of space and food. Mahershala Ali’s subdued narration outlines the hierarchy of each group, and we see the various power players in each group jockey to work their way up the ladder.
Parallels with human social development and political intrigue abound, though Reed wisely stays away from overtly making those connections for us, instead allowing the audience to see, in all its facets, the difficulties of establishing and maintaining any effective group and the decisions that need to be made, however unpalatable they may seem to any of us more “civilized” creatures.
We are told several times that humans and chimps share 98% of our DNA, and as we watch mothers with their children and the drive to both protect and expand the group’s resources, it’s all too clear that, should mankind fall from grace, chimps and the rest of the great ape populations will be more than capable of becoming the dominant force on the planet.
The camera work here is impressive, and I struggle to reconcile how the filmmakers acquired most of it, as it’s not simply fixed POVs, but immersive, moving shots among the groups, even during territorial battles.
It’s certainly a cinematic achievement in that regard.
Chimp Empire is a must-see for any nature or general documentary fan, even if at times it feels like some sort of scripted drama.
Chimp Empire hits Netflix April 19.
And remember, if the BEST thing you can say about a movie is that it’s “visually stunning,” then they’ve done something wrong.
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