This endearing wildlife documentary, set in the Ivory Coast’s lush Tai Forest, follows the fortunes of a young chimp named Oscar as he, his devoted mother and the entire extended clan with whom they live become caught up in a turf war with a rival band of simians. Though co-directors Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield’s narrative – recorded, in mostly jaunty tones, by Tim Allen – veers at times into sentimentality and shameless anthropomorphizing, their expedition nonetheless provides enjoyable viewing for moviegoers of just about every age. Parents of the tiniest tots take note, however: A significant survival-of-the-fittest plot development may prove too emotionally taxing for the most sensitive youngsters.
Watch out for: Scenes of animal combat.
Rated: A-I; MPAA: G
