The Meerkats DVD Review

The Meerkats - An Alliance Films’ Release

Release Date: September 8th, 2009

Rated PG

Running time: 83 minutes

James Honeyborne (dir.)

James Honeyborne (story)

Narration written by Alexander McCall Smith

Sarah Class (music)

Paul Newman - Narrator

Our reviews below:

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The Meerkats DVD Review By John C.

*** (out of 4)

The Meerkats is a new BBC documentary about, you guessed it, meerkats. The film is beautifully shot and the meerkats are very cute. As an added bonus it’s narrated by Paul Newman.

I especially enjoyed seeing the wide shots of African landscapes. Fans of nature documentaries, and meerkats, are sure to love the film. The DVD includes no bonus features.

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The Meerkats DVD Review By Erin V.

***1/2 (out of 4)

The Meerkats is a BBC made documentary that follows a young meerkat named Kolo from the first few days of his life to six months in. The animals are not anthropomorphized in the sense that they are not made to talk, but rather just act and interact like regular animals. The film is narrated by (the late) Paul Newman and is told basically through imagery with the narration, and music.

The Meerkats is a pleasant film to watch and not, (I find), too long at 83 minutes. It's rated PG, although I think, other than for a couple of moments between predator and prey, it could have gotten away with a G, as there is nothing graphic here.

The visuals are stunning - (it is the African Savannah after all) - but, as always with the BBC, a major part of this is due to the way the cinematographers have framed the shots. Things can be beautiful, but it takes an artistic eye not too lose that beauty in the transfer to screen. Also, Paul Newman does a fine job narrating, and the music fits with the setting and story, pacing it all well. If you like this kind of nature semi-documentary, The Meerkats is one of the better made ones for kids and adults alike.

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The Meerkats DVD Review By Nicole

*** (out of 4)

Small is powerful. This is evident in The Meerkats, a well made documentary about these endearing creatures. The film follows Kolo, a young meerkat as he grows up with his family in the Kalahari Desert. The family faces danger from eagles, drought, cobras, and rival meerkats. But working together as a family, these little creatures stand tall.

I enjoyed The Meerkats. The animals are extremely cute, and the cinematography is really good. I especially liked seeing how affectionate the little meerkats are, and how they looked out for each other.

This film tells a story, with meerkats as characters, without anthropomorphism. The Meerkats will appeal to anyone 8 to adult.

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The Meerkats DVD Review By Maureen

**1/2 (out of 4)

N/A

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The Meerkats DVD Review By Tony

*** (out of 4)

N/A

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Consensus: The Meerkats is a BBC film, which follows the first six months of the life of little meerkat ‘Kolo’. A well made film, this one will charm both kids and adults alike. *** (Out of 4)

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