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Critics Consensus: Disneynature Born In China delivers more of the breathtaking footage the series is known for -- and more than enough cuddly anthropomorphic action to keep the kids entertained.
Critic Consensus: Disneynature Born In China delivers more of the breathtaking footage the series is known for -- and more than enough cuddly anthropomorphic action to keep the kids entertained.
All Critics (41) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (34) | Rotten (7)
John Krasinski narrates, and though he doesn't achieve that mix of gravitas and cheeky wit [of] Sir David Attenborough ... his vocal stylings are perfectly homey and serviceable for the task of guiding us through the lives of these special animals.
The film doesn't offer anything new, and doesn't stop pushing 'Family' until even the cutest animal seems to be lecturing you to listen to your parents.
"Born In China" consistently delivers an amazing eyeful.
On the whole, it's fine for what it is ...
"Born in China" won't teach you everything there is to know about pandas, snow leopards or snub-nosed monkeys, and its storylines feel manipulated by the Disney machine. But darned if it doesn't make you say "aww."
While the footage is breathtaking, these animal tales get wobblier every year at walking the line between educational fun and hard-to-swallow stories of animals acting out human narratives.
The film brings a touch of humor to some otherwise difficult true stories of life and death, with potential unsettling scenes tastefully and discreetly edited with minimal horror and gore, making this fine family fare for children of all ages.
The narration, delivered by actor John Krasinski with a curdled dollop of aw-shucks geniality, reduces the seasonal narrative to incidents that are mapped to human cliches - a loving mother know best and a rebellious teen has to deal with his father
'Born in China' shows the beauty of the cycle of life and death.
Disney knows on which side their bread is buttered, and there's nothing like a baby panda being cradled by its mother to make an audience go "Awww."
The footage really is fascinating, even mind-boggling, and at a swift, economical 76 minutes, the movie hardly has time to wear out its welcome.
This is a perfectly nice nature documentary that deserves its theatrical showcase, and that's really all there is to say.
While Disney Nature's Born in China is a fascinating mix of gorgeous animals and breathtaking cinematography, it does tend to feel a little too staged for my liking. I'll always support documentaries like Born in China, especially if they provide a different viewpoint on creatures and landscapes that are unfamiliar to most of the general public. Born in China focuses on a few animals, including Pandas, Golden Monkeys, and Snow Leopards. All of which, center upon one common theme, family. Although the storylines feel entirely made up, which include gimmicky names, the scenarios aren't. It's interesting to watch different animals try and fight the elements and other competitors to provide for their family just like us humans. In that way, Born in China is for people of all ages. But when the film adds too much fake subtext from John Krasinski's narration, it feels like something for kids looking for some silly giggles. Because it is Disney and the audience is mostly families, the film does feel a little safe. Sure, we do have Planet Earth and other documentaries that show us some of the harsher sides to animals of the wild, but I think we could have used a little more from each animal in Born in China. Either that, or just focus on 1 or 2 animals instead of a half dozen. Does Born in China accomplish what it set out to do? Yes. It's an entertaining and at least somewhat informative look at wildlife in parts of China. However, there are several moments that feel entirely fabricated and may take away from the viewing experience. In short, if you're going in looking for a short history lesson, I think you'll come out at least pleased with what you get. I mean, who can honestly be upset after watching pandas for an hour and a half. 6.5/10
Super Reviewer
Born in China is the best Disneynature release since their first film Earth. It is a departure from the one species centered films they have been releasing the last couple of years. Instead, Born in China uses remarkably intimate cinematography and footage to capture the lives of several species living the in the beautifully natural outskirts of China. The four main storylines are all alternately adorable (pandas!) and sometimes tragic and heart-wrenching. Disney weaves its magic in the tales of the families and the film never devolves into overly sentimental and manipulative, which couldn't necessarily be said about Chimpanzee and Bears. Disney also does a good job showing the true Circle of Life consequences, especially during the snow leopard chunk of the story which is also the most emotional. Born in China could have done with a few more facts on the issues of endangerment the creatures face and the idea of global warming, but it isn't a huge deal when the film is this engaging, emotional and beautifully photographed. It is a nice, pleasant Earth Day release that is mercifully brief. Rating: 86
Once again, here's another nature theatrical film. Either you love them or hate them, they would still be around regardless of what we might be thinking but Disney might be around making Born in China look just like a direct-to-video copy of the beauties of nature disc and that's like saying way too much here.
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