Jeri Jacquin
Coming to DVD from directors Richard Claus, Karsten Kiilerich and Shout! Factory Kids is a tale of friendship and loyalty with PANDA BEAR IN AFRICA.
Pang the Panda (Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing) and best friend Jielong (Georgina Verbaan) the dragon are the best of friends. Spending their days playing games and waiting for Jielong to learn to fly, they are living the hometown life. When the two get to spend the season together, there is so much more to do! That is until an unexpected visitor reaches their shores and takes Jielong away.
Where? In Africa, the young prince lion Ade (Namisa Mdalose) is told by his uncle Malume (Silas Lekgoathi) that a special present its way. Pang is not about to let his best friend disappear and finds Xing-Xing (Thom Hoffman) the orangutan to take him across the sea where he meets Jojo (Maurits Delchot) the talapoin. The goal is to have Jojo lead him to where the lions are and get Jielong back.
Ade is surprised when he learns Jielong What Pang doesn’t expect is to meet the very sweet Niala (Candice Modiselle), the spotted hyena who has a history with Ade. There is a secret that is keeping the lions and hyena’s from sharing the same space. Now Pang and Jielong each do what they must to get free, save Niala’s family, Ade’s kingdom and get back home. That’s a lot for Pang and Jielong but they will not stop until they are home.
Other cast include Sthandile Nkosi as Kabora, Thulani Nzonzo as Mpho, James Weebo as Darius, Charles Ouda as Abu, Angel Orugbo as Camel, Joyce W. Musoke as Mrs. Python, and Adriana Pang as Kang.
SHOUT! Studios has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty and The Beast. Also, their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT! Studios has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.
The DVD includes the Special Features of a Featurette, Selected Scenes from PANDA BEAR IN AFRICA and Theatrical Trailer.
PANDA BEAR IN AFRICA is the very charming animated film that any family who loves a little sofa cuddle time are going to enjoy. There is so much to offer here with a story of friendship between the young Pang the Panda and Jielong the dragon. They have an amazing friendship of fun, adventure and loyalty to one another. When someone scary happens to one, the other jumps in and does everything possible to help. That would be an amazing story in itself.
Yet, in this film, there is also the story of the animals in Africa and the dilemma they find themselves in. Jielong sees what is happening in the lion kingdom and Pang learns about the secrets in the hyena world. There is a conflict on both sides and little do they realize that two animals from another place on earth can help in the most heart-warming way possible. That makes the story even more wonderful to watch with the family. As a family, it is a chance to talk about everything the film offers and that is so important.
The animation of the film is colorful, fun, lively and brings about so much joy. The cast bringing their voices to each of the characters had me and my family laughing so much. What I love about such films like PANDA BEAR IN AFRICA is that it is also a bit of a teaching tool about animals around the world. My granddaughter was thrilled to learn about them and is now interested in researching them even more.
This is a story of wildlife with lions, pandas, hippos, lions, dragons, gorillas and meerkats. So, grab the family, cuddle up on the sofa and prepare to take a trip into friendship!
In the end – bravery knows no size!
