Film Review – Khumba
Director: Anthony Silverstone
Screenplay:Anthony Silverstone, Raffaella Delle Donne
Cast: Liam Neeson, Jake T. Austin, Loretta Devine, Laurence Fishburne, Anika Noni Rose, Richard E. Grant, Catherine Tate
Genre: Adventure
Rating: ****
Venue: Ster Kinekor Maerua Mall Cine 1
Rating Score
* – Poor
** – Average
*** – Good
**** – Very Good
***** – Excellent
From the makers of the Adventures in Zambezia comes a new n exciting tale of Khumba (voiced by Jake T Austin), a half zebra who is abandoned by his herd because he is born with only half his stripes.
wThe superstitious herd blames him for the drought and wants nothing to do with him. Even his father rejects him and blames him for the death of his mother.
Being the determined and ambitious zebra that he is, Khumba manages to show that even though life is not black and white, he can excel at anything he sets his minds to.
Chasing his dream, he sets out on a journey with a sassy wildebeest and a hilarious ostrich, Mama V (Lorreta Devine) to bring water to the Karoo desert by finding a legendary waterhole where the first zebras got their stripes.
However it is not easy because Khumba has to fight off a dangerous leopard, Phango (Liam Neeson) with as many spots on his coat as the number of animals he has killed.
No one likes Phango because he is a control freak that terrorizes all the other animals in the Karoo.
You immediately feel like you can relate to the film or have watched it before because of the likeness of the storyline to that of the Lion King.
It is a moral story based on the adventures of an animal looking for guidance and acceptance and who has to fight to prove his worth.
The directors and creators of the film prove to everyone once again that South Africa can produce great animations.
Just like the scenery in the Adventures in Zambezia, the landscape is gorgeous, beautiful arrays of colour bursting everywhere and lovable creatures that are funny, witty as well as charming.
Once again Triggerfish Animation Studios have shown that they have what it takes to make an internationally acclaimed animation.
The voice characters are positively refreshing, and the Computer Integrated Graphics are excellent especially the one of the springboks migrating.
I remember thinking to myself this is epic as I watched the scene with the mighty springboks jumping.
I love the fact that the film does not only make one laugh but also has an emotional element about it making it a sweet light-hearted must-see for all ages.
The fact that most of the characters are voiced by an American cast does not sway or drive the animation from home.
It still manages to have the ‘I am a South African production’ element to it because it is so rich in African culture.
The characters are insightful, charming and you cannot help but feel a fresh breeze from every scene.
It is a totally powerful tale of self-discovery and acceptance.
Khumba is not only a great watch for children but also delivers a message to adults and children facing identity crises.
It is a funny, warm and inspiring film that I would not mind watching over and over again.
I say, go watch it, take your kids to see it. I’m definitely taking my niece and nephew to watch it.
