Any series/films nature documentary related immediately has me sold on wanting to see it. Baby animals are impossible to resist, so is the distinctive and beautiful voice of Morgan Freeman. To show how two women made this tremendous a difference to wildlife protection was also interesting. They all were major reasons for wanting to see 'Born to be Wild', which was only brought to my attention recently when starting to watch more one off nature documentaries and films.
'Born to be Wild' did not disappoint and is more than perfect for children and adults alike so the whole family. It may not be one of the best, most comprehensive and most innovative documentaries there has ever been made and in existence, but it is nonetheless educational, illuminating, thought-provoking, beautifully made and with a lot of emotional impact. Even if it is not flawless (quite), 'Born to be Wild' has many fine things and anybody that loves baby orangutans and elephants already will not have their opinions changed other than perhaps strengthened.
The only thing that could have been better was if 'Born to be Wild' was longer. It is never dull and always engaging, was so glued to it that it was sad to see it finish, but 40 minutes did feel a little too short.
Otherwise, it is great. The visuals may be described as sentimental, but to me they were not overly so and there are a lot of beautiful images and loving photography. The scenery is nice too, though not jaw-dropping, and the orangutans and elephants look incredible. The soundtrack isn't overbearing or overused, nothing overwrought sounding.
Freeman narrates with a sonorous, soothing quality that was just perfect for this material and the tone. The writing itself is very honest and informs, entertains and moves without being maudlin or childish while knowing what the target audience was clearly. The baby animals are absolutely adorable with already big personalities (evident agreed with the orangutan and the noodles, that was very funny and sweet) and the two women have such passion for their work and are true inspirations. The singing the lullaby to the newborn orangutan part did get me.
Concluding, great. 9/10
