Love Disney, have done ever since seeing 'Cinderella' at two or three years old. Love nature documentaries, especially the landmark ones of David Attenborough (i.e. 'Planet Earth', 'Blue Planet'). Love elephants, a love as lifelong as my love for Disney ever since seeing 'Dumbo' for the first time. So no pre-conceived bias. Was a bit nervous, seeing that it was narrated by Meghan Markle (don't despise her as much as most do), who has a voice that does not sound right for documentaries.
Really do have to agree with those that didn't care for 'Elephant', after watching it on Disney Plus, and do agree completely with the criticisms that have been summed up very well already (though am going to aim to be a little kinder). There are many fine documentaries that don't have Attenborough's name on them, but 'Elephant' is not one of them. As far as the DisneyNature documentaries go, this is among the weakest. It is actually one of the better looking ones, but audibly it is another story.
'Elephant' does have good things and they are going to be begun with. Visually, it looks amazing and it is the production values that are by far the best thing about it. The scenery is enough to take the breath away, something that is obvious from the very beginning. That is enhanced by the photography, which is of cinematic quality and quite dazzling to watch.
The elephants themselves look majestic and are rootable. Jomo is utterly adorable and there were enough times where it was easy to invest in his antics. The first ten minutes are quite cute.
As aforementioned however, audibly 'Elephant' is another story. The music tries far too hard to be epic and too much of a film score, and it ends up being far too loud and over-orchestrated. Found 'Elephant' to be too over-dramatised, too sentimental and most of the moments intended to be playful came over as very cheesy and forced. Didn't feel an awful lot of emotion, any attempts didn't come over as sincere and is instead too cutesy.
Will agree with those that say that the narration fares worst. And it is not just Markle's far too over-eager, at times patronising and too Disney Singalong Song delivery. Actually still am very fond of most of the Disney Singalong Song videos but that approach was just wrong here, this needed a voice of authority, of soothing quality and gravitas like Morgan Freeman, James Earl Jones or Jeremy Irons for males and Glenn Close, Cate Blanchett or Meryl Streep for females that was trying too hard to appeal to younger audiences. But also the actual writing itself, which is very cookie-cutter, melodramatic, quite cheesy (especially the attempts to be playful and the breaking the fourth wall-like moments) and doesn't say anything illuminating or educational. Instead going for over-dramatic storytelling over facts, when there have been documentaries that have expertly balanced both. Some cute moments aside, there is a playing too safe feel here and there is not really ever a set piece that wows.
Concluding, disappointing. 4/10
