Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Chimpanzee is a solid, if somewhat predictable, Disneynature entry that delivers exactly what it promises: adorable baby chimp, stunning African rainforest footage, and a heartwarming adoption story wrapped in real wildlife education.

The good: It's genuinely educational without being boring, the conservation messaging matters, and Oscar's journey builds real empathy for wildlife. The cinematography is beautiful, and at 78 minutes, it doesn't overstay its welcome.

The reality check: This is 2012 Disney nature doc pacing, which means it moves slower than what kids raised on YouTube and Netflix are used to. The anthropomorphized narration ("Oscar is having a bad day!") might grate on adults, though kids generally eat it up. And yes, the mother chimp dies, which is both the emotional core and the thing that might wreck your Tuesday evening if you have a sensitive six-year-old.

It's a perfectly fine family watch if your kids are into animals and you want something educational on Disney+. Just maybe not the breezy, carefree viewing experience some parents expect from the Mouse House.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6-11. The Common Sense Media rating of 6+ feels right—younger kids get the adventure and cute chimps, but the mother's death and predator tension require some emotional maturity. Tweens might find it a bit young unless they're really into animals.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

78

Disneynature documentary follows Oscar, a young chimp, with genuine emotion and warmth. Models cooperation within chimp families and shows adoption/care after tragedy. The anthropomorphized narration keeps tone accessible for kids. Some intense predator/survival moments and the death of Oscar's mother bring emotional weight, but handled sensitively without graphic detail.

Imaginative

65

Stunning cinematography of African rainforest ecosystems invites curiosity about wildlife and nature. However, it's a traditional nature documentary format—beautiful but not particularly innovative. Limited creative expression opportunities; primarily observational. The humor and storytelling around Oscar's journey add some narrative imagination, but ultimately it's documenting real chimp behavior rather than building new worlds.

Safe

72

Common Sense Media rates it 6+, which aligns with content. The mother's death (off-screen but implied) and some tense predator scenes (leopards, rival chimps) create mild anxiety. Nature documentary violence (chimps fighting, hunting) is real but not gratuitous. No gore, nudity, or inappropriate content. The emotional beats around loss might surprise younger viewers expecting pure Disney fluff, but it's handled appropriately for the format.

Enriching

80

Genuinely educational about chimpanzee behavior, social structures, rainforest ecosystems, and conservation. Oscar's story builds empathy for wildlife and demonstrates resilience, adoption, and family bonds across species. The documentary format teaches observation skills and scientific thinking. Strong conservation messaging without being preachy. Solid ratings (74% RT critics, 7.1 IMDb) suggest it delivers meaningful content alongside entertainment.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Gorgeous cinematography of chimps in their natural habitat that actually teaches kids about real animal behavior and ecosystems
Oscar's adoption story is genuinely moving and shows resilience, empathy, and non-traditional family structures in nature
Strikes a decent balance between entertainment and education—funny chimp antics plus real conservation messaging
At 78 minutes, it's short enough that restless kids won't completely check out

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What to Watch For

Oscar's mother dies (not shown graphically, but it's the emotional center of the film)—prep sensitive kids or those who've experienced loss
Some tense moments with leopards and rival chimp groups that might frighten younger viewers
The 2012 pacing feels a touch slow compared to modern nature docs like Our Planet; some kids may find it draggy
Anthropomorphized narration walks the line between accessible and slightly cloying

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think that older male chimp decided to adopt Oscar when he didn't have to?"
"What surprised you most about how chimps live and take care of each other?"
"The rainforest where Oscar lives is disappearing—what do you think we could do to help protect places like that?"
"How is Oscar's family similar to ours? How is it different?"

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