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Monkey Kingdom poster

Monkey Kingdom (2015)

2015 • 1h 21m • Documentary • G
On September 22, 2026
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All reviews

Reno on Monkey Kingdom

9/10 · Oct 14, 2015

Every species has its own kingdom and a leader. I initially believed it would be set in India and resemble 'Monkey Thieves'. I don't remember anything from the trailer I watched eighteen months ago. It’s good that "Subcontinent" doesn’t exclusively mean India, because my assumption was incorrect. Also, I thought it would focus on the Rhesus monkeys, which are well-known in Asia. Instead, this story unfolds in the deep jungles of Sri Lanka, specifically Polonnaruwa. It centers around a small Toque Macaque kingdom established generations ago within a rock castle surrounded by the ruins of an ancient temple. Coming from the filmmakers behind 'Chimpanzee', it’s another beautifully presented film about primates, clearly designed for young children, much like all previous Disney Nature films. Tina Fey narrates, and I personally found her voice to be far better than John C. Reilly's work on 'Bears'. As an adult male, I appreciated the way she delivered her lines; there was something appealing about it. The film uses dialogue—where characters seem to speak in human language—to entertain children and create a family-friendly experience. The story follows a young female monkey named Maya. Like most of the colony, she’s from a lower social standing, positioned beneath the Raja's rule, which consists of the alpha male and three royal sisters. Following familiar patterns found in films with human characters, this one includes elements like romance, drama, emotional moments, conflict, survival challenges, a journey of self-discovery, and ultimately, revenge. It’s about a younger generation rising to challenge those who were once at the top. > "Together, on the edge of their territory, > they wash away the city and relish the jungle around them." What we see in the film isn't necessarily what actually happened; we can’t fully understand monkey language or behavior. The filmmakers have translated and adapted their actions to make them more understandable for viewers. This approach largely worked, resulting in a General rating. However, the reality is that the animal world is often harsh and dangerous. Rules are made to be broken and challenged if you possess the strength to do so; physical power is essential for survival in the jungle. There aren't formal trials for wrongdoing—punishments are immediate or one can simply leave to avoid consequences. Only the film crew knows the full story, and I suspect much of it was intended for adults. Raw, unedited animal documentaries on television can be upsetting, especially when they depict how food chains operate and rivalries exist within a species. For children, this documentary is excellent—inspiring and educational. I learned that monkeys can swim, not just on the surface, but by diving into deep water. Having followed Disney Nature’s filmography closely, I'm now eagerly anticipating 'Born in China', as I haven't yet seen documentaries about pandas. Another reason to celebrate is the release of 'Kung Fu Panda 3' around the same time. So, mark your calendars and set aside some days, especially for the kids. 9/10

Source on TMDB

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