Cheetah

Cheetah is a memorable, adventurous, and family-friendly film that emerged in 1989, featuring notable talent such as Keith Coogan, Lucy Deakins, and Colin Mothupi. Directed by Jeff Blyth, the movie is filled with endearing interactions between humans and the animal kingdom, specifically focusing on the beautiful, swift-moving creatures recognized as cheetahs. Disney backed this heartwarming and dynamic project, reflecting their tried-and-true convention of producing feel-good films with significant lessons about life, love, and the peculiar bonds formed across species lines.

The film opens with siblings Ted (Keith Coogan) and Susan (Lucy Deakins) transplanted from their comfortable city lives in the United States to rugged yet strikingly beautiful Kenya, where their parents are occupied with research work. Ted and Susan are forced to adjust to the culture shock quickly, but they soon learn to enjoy their new life, reaffirmed by the warmth and generosity of the Kenyan people they encounter, particularly a local boy named Morogo (Colin Mothupi).

The story takes a more gripping turn when the trio discovers a cheetah cub whose mother they believe has been killed by poachers. Named Duma, which means "cheetah" in Swahili, the cub is rapidly welcomed into their lives. The unlikely human-animal friendship becomes the soul of the film as they raise Duma like a pet, albeit one with an innate wild streak. Keith Coogan and Lucy Deakins convincingly express the deep affection and concern of the siblings for the orphaned cub, stirring the audience's emotions.

As Duma grows into a magnificent full-grown cheetah, the differences between a house pet and an animal wired for running at high speeds in the wild begin to surface. The movie showcases splendidly the swift creature's agility and decision-making in the wild, a nod to the remarkable efforts of the cinematographers and animal trainers involved in the film's production. These scenes emphasize the wild essence of the protagonist cheetah, offering a unique tension between the animal's undeniable individuality and its loving loyalties to the humans nurturing it.

Another central thread in Cheetah is the prominent presence of the dangerous and illegal activities of the animal trafficking world, which poses a constant threat to Duma's safety and freedom. The three friends are pitched against these adversaries, forming a heroic trio determined to protect their fast-footed friend. Each character has his or her unique personality and strengths, contributing to an enriching narrative that not only adds complexity to their individual character arcs but also enhances the overarching plot.

In addition to its captivating plot, Cheetah is an excellent vehicle for Kenyan culture with a respectful and subtle, yet detailed, presentation. From the native languages to wonderfully authentic sets, the movie does a fantastic job at immersing the audience in the African locale. Traditional tribal customs, languages, and community dynamics are seamlessly interwoven into the storyline, providing a fascinating snapshot of Kenyan culture and way of life.

The film also seeks to drive home certain moral and ethical lessons, harnessing Disney's inherent knack for embedding educational elements in a narrative context. Cheetah touches on motifs of bravery, friendship, responsibility, respect for other cultures, and most crucially, the importance of preserving the natural world and all its inhabitants.

With fascinating wildlife footage, captivating performances, and culturally immersive storytelling, Cheetah stands as an engaging piece of cinema that appeals to a wide audience scope. The film's thoughtful exploration of a cross-species bond, coupled with its adventure-filled plot and underlining themes, makes it a timeless cinematic experience worth revisiting. Whether you are charmed by the interactions between the human characters and their cheetah companion, drawn in by the picturesque representation of African landscapes and culture, or marshalled forward by the themes of courage and perseverance, Cheetah offers a little something for everyone.