Elephant

Elephant chronicles the incredible trip of African elephant Shani and her energetic youngster Jomo as they search for water by leading their herd over hundreds of miles in the Kalahari Desert. This multi-year Disneynature documentary chronicles one of nature's most epic migrations, a test of collective survival, memory, and leadership that has taken place for millennia but is currently facing previously unheard-of dangers from habitat fragmentation and climate change.

The documentary's presentation of poignant scenes that seem like they were actually witnessed gives a novel way to animal documentation. Instead of using forced tales, it uses genuine interactions to convey the herd's sorrow over a departed member. The durability and social structure of the elephants, especially their matriarchal decisions based on profound spatial memory, are demonstrated in stunning aerial and ground-level imagery. The documentary highlights the emotional lives and intricate society of elephants while illuminating the intricacies of their communication and behavior. Without being overly simplistic, it addresses difficult topics like a lion assault and the difficulties brought on by climate change. The soundtrack in the movie enhances the experience by capturing the deep rumbles of elephant communication. All things considered, Elephant motivates by its depiction of tenacity and group problem-solving within the herd, which ends in celebration following their survival battles.

Meghan Markle's voice acting is a complex area. Her friendly and approachable style is especially well-suited for younger audiences who want emotional support when seeing difficult content. Sometimes, though, the script goes into too much detail about what the images already convey, such as saying that elephants "must work together" as we're witnessing them cooperate or proclaiming emotional states that are made clear by the elephants' actions. The narration becomes invasive when it interprets emotional content that should be visually self-evident, but it functions best when it provides factual context (elephant biology, migration patterns). The alternative narration in the international version, which is said to have a drier style, would be more appealing to adult viewers.

Elephant is a symbol of Disney at its best, fusing technical mastery, authentic scientific observation, and poignant narrative without compromising any aspect of the others. It never reduces its subjects to symbols or caricatures, but honoring them as complex beings living in endangered habitats. The video itself speaks with authority that surpasses any one voiceover, even when the narration occasionally understates the knowledge of the audience. This is a must-see for educators, families, and anybody else who wants to learn more about these remarkable animals outside of the zoo.

Staff:

Directed by: Mark Linfield and Vanessa Berlowitz

Produced by: Mark Linfield, Vanessa Berlowitz, and Roy Conli

Starring: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

Cinematography: Martyn Colbeck, Mike Holding, and Tom Walker

Edited by: Nigel Buck

Music by: Ramin Djawadi

Production companies: Disneynature, Silverback Films, and Wildstar Films

Distributed by: Disney+

Release date: April 3, 2020

Running time: 86 minutes