Monkey Kingdom - B

Rated G, 82 minutes
Wes's Grade: B

"Monkey Kingdom" a predictable but enjoyable look at a family of monkeys in the jungle

Well, all I can say, is that Disney knows a good formula and sticks with it. Since 2007, in honor of Earth Day, Disneynature has produced a series of nature documentaries aimed at families at helping to promote nature, typically through the animal kingdom. This time out is the enjoyable, heartwarming "Monkey Kingdom" that tells the story of survival of a particular type of monkey in Sri Lanka, even if the slickly-produced documentary pulls absolutely no surprises. Maya is a toque macaque (a type of jungle monkey) whose world is changed when her son Kip becomes part of her extended family. When their home is overrun by a neighboring tribe of monkeys, the family has to find a new home. Maya uses her inherent smarts to lead them to new resources, but it develops that the entire group will have to cooperate in order to reclaim their original home, where Maya wishes to advance her son's future within her tribe. Directed and produced by Mark Linfield and Alistair Fothergill (who directed the first Disneynature release, "Earth") and narrated with amusing warmth by comedian Tina Fey, "Monkey Kingdom" is entertaining for the family and those who enjoy these "nature epics," though it seems to stick closely to the Disney formula. Lushly photographed using Sony F65 digital cameras, handsomely scored by acclaimed composer Harry Gregson-Williams and memorably told by Fey ("that's 15 pounds of hunky monkey" she says of Maya's suitor), "Monkey Kingdom" fits perfectly into the mini-niche that Disney has built with this documentaries, and the best part is they let the animals be the star of the show and tell their own story naturally. There's not a bad part per se, except that fact that have happy, predictable endings, with the animals ultimately reaching their destination(s), but not with out some challenges along the way (among them this time: a group of meanie, selfish monkeys in the "family" known as "the sisters"), allowing us to appreciate our journey and Earth's resources more. There's nothing wrong with that, though, with these films, it's all really expected, with absolutely no surprises. I enjoyed the adventure of Maya in the short, sweet and calculated "Monkey Kingdom" (and the baby monkeys are just too cute - there's no way you could hate them), even if you know exactly how it's going to turn out. Definitely for families and nature lovers.