Monkey Kingdom.
Another magnificent slice of Disney magic has just hit the big screen, this time a Disney Nature production the Monkey Kingdom. The Temple Troop of Sri Lankan monkeys has a social hierarchy that could put Washington DC to shame. At the bottom of that social ladder is the fantastic Maya. One day a handsome young male interloper happens by the Temple Troop. His name is Kumar and he immediately captures the full and complete attention of Maya. They share a mutual affection but Kumar is soon driven from the troop by the ruling alpha male and upper tier ladies. Nevertheless Kumar leaves more than just a memory as several months after his departure Maya gives birth to their son Kip.
The harsh realities of jungle life are beautifully displayed by the Disney film makers and charmingly told with the narration by Tina Fey and the brilliant direction of Mark Linfield and Alastair Fothergill. As time goes on the charmed life of the Temple Troop is deeply disrupted by a competitive group of insurgent monkeys who drive the Temple Troop from their home. Upon fleeing their jungle home the Temple Troop soon finds itself having to deal with an urban jungle in Sri Lanka. They adapt and they survive largely due to the skills of Maya and her solid commitment to her little monkey son Kip.
But they cannot remain forever in the city and soon they head back with the intent to recapture their jungle home. On their way back they are rejoined by Kumar who ultimately emerges as the new alpha male leader of the troop and the loving mate of Maya.
It's all cute and charming, of course, but in truth it is far more powerful than that. I saw in both Kumar and Maya something we can all learn and benefit from. That something is an unstoppable will. Maya was never going to abandon her son. She was also not going to simply accept life as an urban monkey but rather was committed to a successful return to her jungle home. Kumar, while once driven from his beloved Maya was not about to forever leave her. He returned the his Maya and their son Kip and he soon changed from outcast to Troop leader because he was blessed with an unstoppable will. That message alone is well worth the movie. And happily there is so much more.
It has all of the beauty and joy common in Disney nature films, but it also has one of the most powerful of all messages to the world. Never ever quit. Against all odds don't back down.
Another magnificent slice of Disney magic has just hit the big screen, this time a Disney Nature production the Monkey Kingdom. The Temple Troop of Sri Lankan monkeys has a social hierarchy that could put Washington DC to shame. At the bottom of that social ladder is the fantastic Maya. One day a handsome young male interloper happens by the Temple Troop. His name is Kumar and he immediately captures the full and complete attention of Maya. They share a mutual affection but Kumar is soon driven from the troop by the ruling alpha male and upper tier ladies. Nevertheless Kumar leaves more than just a memory as several months after his departure Maya gives birth to their son Kip.
The harsh realities of jungle life are beautifully displayed by the Disney film makers and charmingly told with the narration by Tina Fey and the brilliant direction of Mark Linfield and Alastair Fothergill. As time goes on the charmed life of the Temple Troop is deeply disrupted by a competitive group of insurgent monkeys who drive the Temple Troop from their home. Upon fleeing their jungle home the Temple Troop soon finds itself having to deal with an urban jungle in Sri Lanka. They adapt and they survive largely due to the skills of Maya and her solid commitment to her little monkey son Kip.
But they cannot remain forever in the city and soon they head back with the intent to recapture their jungle home. On their way back they are rejoined by Kumar who ultimately emerges as the new alpha male leader of the troop and the loving mate of Maya.
It's all cute and charming, of course, but in truth it is far more powerful than that. I saw in both Kumar and Maya something we can all learn and benefit from. That something is an unstoppable will. Maya was never going to abandon her son. She was also not going to simply accept life as an urban monkey but rather was committed to a successful return to her jungle home. Kumar, while once driven from his beloved Maya was not about to forever leave her. He returned the his Maya and their son Kip and he soon changed from outcast to Troop leader because he was blessed with an unstoppable will. That message alone is well worth the movie. And happily there is so much more.
It has all of the beauty and joy common in Disney nature films, but it also has one of the most powerful of all messages to the world. Never ever quit. Against all odds don't back down.