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.
Review of Born in China
