Born to Be Wild

"Born to Be Wild" is a short IMAX film...lasting about 40 minutes. I'm not sure why it was so short and wasn't stretched into a full-length movie...as it seemed there easily could have been. Plus, I really wanted to see more...as baby elephants and orangutans are so adorable.

The film is about two different programs that raise orphan animals...one in Kenya raising orphaned elephants and one doing the same but in Borneo and with organgutans.

The combination of Morgan Freeman's excellent narration and tough to beat film footage make this a winner. But as I said above, it is awfully short and I wanted to learn more about these wonderful programs.

This is a 40 min IMAX feature narrated by Morgan Freeman. It follows two women who struggle to save wildlife being displaced by humans. Birute Galdikas saves orangutans in Borneo and Daphne Sheldrick saves elephants in Kenya.

I didn't see this in IMAX although I don't think that it matters that much in this case. I can see that the big screen would only add to a few smaller sections. Obviously, a big African vista is built for the big screen but the jungle is may be even more impressive. I would love to be enveloped by the jungle on a big screen. The animal close ups are probably also compelling. The movie needs to keep that on the mind when it considers the visual.

As for the two women, they are both coming out of the same mode. I can see why they are put together but it doesn't look too deep. I would like them to show the lost of habitat more visually. The narration tells the audience but the only visual is the mass palm plantation. All in all, it's informative but it's not the most compelling nature doc.

Any series/films nature documentary related immediately has me sold on wanting to see it. Baby animals are impossible to resist, so is the distinctive and beautiful voice of Morgan Freeman. To show how two women made this tremendous a difference to wildlife protection was also interesting. They all were major reasons for wanting to see 'Born to be Wild', which was only brought to my attention recently when starting to watch more one off nature documentaries and films.

'Born to be Wild' did not disappoint and is more than perfect for children and adults alike so the whole family. It may not be one of the best, most comprehensive and most innovative documentaries there has ever been made and in existence, but it is nonetheless educational, illuminating, thought-provoking, beautifully made and with a lot of emotional impact. Even if it is not flawless (quite), 'Born to be Wild' has many fine things and anybody that loves baby orangutans and elephants already will not have their opinions changed other than perhaps strengthened.

The only thing that could have been better was if 'Born to be Wild' was longer. It is never dull and always engaging, was so glued to it that it was sad to see it finish, but 40 minutes did feel a little too short.

Otherwise, it is great. The visuals may be described as sentimental, but to me they were not overly so and there are a lot of beautiful images and loving photography. The scenery is nice too, though not jaw-dropping, and the orangutans and elephants look incredible. The soundtrack isn't overbearing or overused, nothing overwrought sounding.

Freeman narrates with a sonorous, soothing quality that was just perfect for this material and the tone. The writing itself is very honest and informs, entertains and moves without being maudlin or childish while knowing what the target audience was clearly. The baby animals are absolutely adorable with already big personalities (evident agreed with the orangutan and the noodles, that was very funny and sweet) and the two women have such passion for their work and are true inspirations. The singing the lullaby to the newborn orangutan part did get me.

Concluding, great. 9/10

Prepare to cry. This is a heart breaker. In a good way. I am speechless and in awe of the work that these ladies do. This was an inspiring film and made me want to do more with my life to give back. It really touches the viewer in a way that makes you realize we are all the same on a basic level, animals and mankind. They are so innocent that it makes me grieve for what we have done to affect their environment and right to be free and live full lives. I found myself laughing, crying, and feeling deeply moved by these animals and those who are saving them. This is a fantastic documentary. And Morgan Freeman narrates, which is sort of icing on the cake.

Born to Be wild is an amazing movie. I went to see it in Imax 3D and came out inspired and uplifted. The Film is based of an amazing true story of two real life fairy godmothers and how one adopts and raises orphaned orangutans (Dr. Birute Galdikas) and the other elephants (Daphne Sheldrick). The movie was very entertaining and funny, and Morgan Freeman did a great job (as always) narrating. I loved following the two story's and every day lives of the two women and of course the animals. The bond between the animals and humans is unbelievable, and I loved the scene were one of the orangutans started eating the noodles right of a women's plate! Like I mentioned before, this is a hilarious, touching and just plain good movie. Highly Recommended for anyone of any age! Born to be loved, Born to be free. Born To Be Wild.