Chimp Empire Review: Mahershala Ali narrates this four-part documentary series, written and directed by James Reed (My Octopus Teacher, Jago: A Life Underwater). The series is centred around the Ngogo Chimpanzees and their internal politics, lifestyle and patterns.
The synopsis of the series reads as
The Ngogo Chimpanzees are unlike any other primates in the world and are also one of the closes connections to our species. The series offers a profound commentary on their distinguished methods of survival.
-Chimp Empire Review Does Not Contain Spoiler-
If you simply replace the central chimpanzees of this docu-series with real-world humans, it can easily translate into a cinematic story of mafia and gangsters, along the lines of politics, emotions and friendships. Moreover, to put it like this, James Reed dives deep into the jungle of Ngogo chimpanzees and comes out with a Scorsese/Coppola epic.
The documentary series encapsulates the journey of our closest living primate (the Chimpanzee) right from birth, till the very end. It introduces us to the ruthless world of the Jungle, where each group has an alpha head, fighting his way to safeguard the interest of the entire tribe. Moreover, apart from the dangers of the external enemies, the alpha head needs to make sure to exert his dominance, in order to curtail an internal rebellion.
In this case, the first and foremost alpha is Jackson. A 30-year-old Chimpanzee who successfully created friction with the western tribe, and emerged as the individual leader of the biggest Chimpanzee group in Ngogo. Jackson is corrupt, power frenzy, and carries a sharp skill set for politics which has helped him to survive for decades. However, the docuseries is not just about him, but the power struggle between the two chimpanzee groups, and the resultant war for food, resources and dominance.
There are not many nature or wildlife-based documentaries which showcase the brutal side of these primates. And also manage to extract the true emotions of family, motherhood and lifelong friendships, all at the same time. At some point, you can just wonder about the storytelling prowess of James Reed, aided with the meticulous voiceover of Mahershala Ali, that blurs the line between a documentary and a film.
Also Read: The Boogeyman Trailer Breakdown: The Monsters Under Your Bed Are Back With Vengeance
The documentary excels in terms of the craft as well, with some stunning visuals and transition shots of the African Jungle. The part where the lens zooms into the glaring eyes of the Chimpanzees, speaks a volume of words in representing their chaotic thoughts. As a result, the experience is soothing, reflective and highly emotive.
Another parting thought about the docuseries is the core emphasis on the trajectory of the chimps. Notably, each primate which appears on the screen can be termed as an individual identity, instead of a larger representative of the group. For instance, there is something unique in Jackson, Hutcherson, Guss, Pork Pie, Christine and others, that scales the characterization of the documentary.
Also Read: Longest Third Date Review: Unexpected Stay, Pregnancy Scare and Love Amid the Pandemic Lockdown!
Chimp Empire Review Final Thoughts
This documentary series is a must-watch if you are a fan of wildlife coverage, with a cinematic approach. Moreover, there is a unique angle of politics and power, which is explored in-depth and detailed inside the series, that makes the complete experience worthwhile. Even though it’s a documentary at the core, the entire thing feels like a revenge-filled saga with the subtext of survival of the fittest.
You can stream Chimp Empire on Netflix. Let us know your thoughts about it in the comment section below.
Also Read: Barry Season 4: Fuches is the Most Unbearable Person, and We Give You 4 Reasons Why