James Earl Jones narrates this 40 minute documentary on the lives of the animals of the Serengeti National Park in East Africa

IMAX - Africa: The Serengeti lasts a short 40 minutes and highlights the annual migration of over 2 million wildebeests, zebras and antelope. This migration travels over 500 miles from Serengeti to the Masai Mara Game Preserve.

The amazing photography that captures each animal, in detail, is inspiring. The wildebeests strange grunts, lions gentle snoring and the distress cries of the animals under attack bring an even better experience to this documentary. The music used is done tastefully and appropriately, in spots where they want you to focus on the action, rather than James Earl Jones speaking.

IMAX - Africa: The Serengeti shows the dry and dangerous conditions of the pilgrimage north to the Masai Mara Game Preserve. The search for water and food, while trying to stay safe from attack makes for interesting footage. While the animals are at the Masai Mara Game Preserve, this documentary introduces the Masai tribe. It shows some of their customs, such as: dance, nomadic ways and enjoying one of their favorite drinks...cow's milk & blood mixture.

While the trek north is dangerous, the trip back to the Serengeti, during the rainy season, is even more so. Crossing flooded rivers, attacking alligators and their usual predators means death to approximately 250,000 animals. The saving grace is, upon getting to Serengeti, there are approximately 500,000 wildebeest births.

IMAX - Africa: The Serengeti has extreme visual beauty and the animals featured are amazing in their instincts. You'll see the wildebeests, zebra, antelope and lions, as mentioned. There are cheetahs, baboons, monkeys, hippopotamus, black rhinoceros and others to learn a bit about, also.

Overall, I was impressed with IMAX - Africa: The Serengeti. I loved learning more about a place and the lives of the people and animals that live there. I would not recommend it for small children or even sensitive teens. There are graphic displays of the life cycle, including mating and violent death.

Other Imax Reviews

IMAX - Alaska: Spirit of the World

Mystery of the Nile

IMAX - Mountain Gorilla

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: None of the Above
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older