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★★★☆☆ In the ever-watchable Chimpanzee (2012), Blue Planet producers Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield transport us to the Ivorian rainforests of Taï National Park, where we are introduced to three-month-old Oscar - a cheeky ape who gains an unexpected ally when he's faced with more than his fair share of troubles from a rival group of chimps. As is to be expected from a Disney Nature-backed documentary, the tone is light throughout as we witness the daily trials and tribulations of life below the canopy. The level is set (and kept) at 'pleasingly chirpy', with a heavy injection of anthropomorphism given to the travailing troop.

American actor Tim Allen's merry, if at times rather corny narration keeps this rather short, feature-length tale chortling along, referring to the oldest chimpanzee as 'Grandpa' and crowbarring in jokes seemingly swiped from his 1990s TV show Home Improvement. At times, this approach results in...

The phrase alpha male conjures pictures of manly men and beastly beasts doing masculine things in a masculine way. One does not expect an alpha male to nurture, to take care, or to love. Disneynature’s stunning new feature Chimpanzee tells the story of the exception to that rule. The exhilarating family adventure transports its audience to Africa’s Ivory Coast, where cheeky young chimp Oscar is just gaining the confidence to explore his colourful rainforest home. Disney favourite Tim Allen narrates the tale with enthusiasm and panache – easily sweeping youngsters into the captivating story and gripping their attention throughout.

Chimpanzee’s director/producers, Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield were already highly accomplished wildlife documentarians. Both had enjoyed box office success with their previous Disneynature feature, Earth, and the team they assembled for Chimpanzee have equally distinguished records in the field. Still, the demands placed on the talented crew must have been tremendous.