Movie review | The human condition ever-apparent in Disneynature’s latest, ‘Monkey Kingdom’

If Disneynature’s latest anamorphic documentary proves one thing, it’s that monkeys are real sons of bitches.

Shot in exotic Sri Lanka, “Monkey Kingdom,” rated G, is visually stunning, something Disney’s nature films have been good at for some 60 years. The filmmakers spent months following a troop of Macaque monkeys, also known as “temple monkeys,” in and around their real-life jungle home, which happens to be the ruins of an ancient city.

The story focuses on Maya, a young adult female Macaque who endures inhumane hardships within a brutal caste system and hierarchy. She is among the “low born,” which are last to eat, and sleep in the cold rain, while the “high born” enjoy the ripest figs and dry accommodations.

The movie relates real social science and study of these monkeys, which live only in Sri Lanka, and are best known as the clever pickpockets and market raiders featured in countless YouTube tourist video clips. We meet and get to know the important characters in the tribe from the king down to the lowest in the social rankings. We meet other jungle creatures, some cuddly, some not so much, we follow the troop in and out of battle, feast and famine, newborns, a senior nicknamed “Grandpa,” kidnappings, rescues, and some inevitable death as well.

Because children are clearly part of the target market, the minimal brutality is short and understated, helping the film keep its “G” rating. “Saturday Night Live” alumnus and “30 Rock” creator/star Tina Fey narrates. The film was scored by the brilliant composer Harry Gregson-Williams, who is known for scoring countless films including the “Shrek” series, “Team America: World Police,” “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” and dozens more.

That the monkey’s lives mimic the human condition is not accidental; it’s what makes the movie work. We see ourselves in all the politics and characteristics of the monkey society and realize we’re not so far removed from the jungle.

This story was originally published April 28, 2015 at 11:15 AM with the headline "Movie review | The human condition ever-apparent in Disneynature’s latest, ‘Monkey Kingdom’."