Disneynature Presents Monkey Kingdom

The output of zoological documentaries from the Disneynature studio has been something of a mixed blessing. On the plus side, these films offer some of the most stunning cinematography in contemporary filmmaking, and they are helpful in introducing a new generation of movie audiences to the importance of conservation and the complexity of wildlife. But on the negative side, these films are mostly burdened with aggressively cutesy narrations that become irritating very quickly - and the glory of the visuals is almost always ruined by the excesses of the soundtrack.

Mercifully, this new addition to the Disneynature series has a genuinely witty and playful narration, presented via the always reliable Tina Fey. And while the film clearly has a few moments of obviously staged comic antics, there are still enough surprises - including an unexpected sampling of a legendary pop song to accompany the arrival of the monkey stars - to keep the audience entertained.

Set in the Sri Lankan jungle, the film focuses on Maya, a toque macaque monkey that occupies a lower caste level within her simian community. Maya is subservient to other female monkeys (called "the sisters" in the film), and it seems that she will forever doomed to her too-humble social standing. Complicating matters is the birth of her son (named Kip in the narration), whose upbringing requires additional nutritional and safety concerns. However, a mix of social and geographic upheaval within this world of monkeys enables Maya to show leadership skills, resulting in a long-overdue reversal of fortunes.

As a G-rated film, "Monkey Kingdom" is very tasteful in presenting mature considerations such as mating (Maya and a male monkey are seen walking away together from their comrades to an isolated part of the jungle) and death (the remains of a monkey that is killed in an attack is only seen in an upturned paw, with the rest of the body carefully obscured by a rock). And while the film detours into some heavy-handed slapstick moments with the monkeys invading a school that is set up for a birthday party and later helping themselves to the wares of an urban market, the film nonetheless offers a fascinating insight into the social protocol of these intelligent and charismatic animals.

Among the bonus features on this Blu-ray/DVD combo release are featurettes on the making of the film, background information on the Disneynature series and a music video of "It's Our World" performed by Jacquie Lee (the song also appears on the "Monkey Kingdom" soundtrack).

"Monkey Kingdom"
Blu-ray/DVD combo
$22.99
www.disney.com