Too much of everything

Memorable, crazy movie

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

This is a masterpiece!!!A work of art that shows many creatures that are virtually unknown to the world - and, it's fun and funny!Africa has always been a place of fascinating mystery to me. A place I want to know more, and, all, about.For me, this movie shows me much of what I didn't know, and, in such a comical way. That makes it fun.The film makers of movies like this, and, others dealing with exotic creatures, must be brilliant, and...patient.To get all of these great shots in this movie...these cameramen must have been doing shots themselves just to be able to sit still and WAIT for that particular 'shot!'They're ARTISTS of the highest caliber! I praise and envy anyone and everyone who photographs and films animals...and, children! :)YOU HAVE THE PATIENCE OF A SAINT! :)

With the new DVD release, I just watched this film for the first time in about 10 years, and it's as delightful as I remembered it.I'm not completely stupid, and realize that real animals don't usually make cartoon-like sound effects, i.e. an ostrich craning his neck in disbelief and going "huh?" or beetles making screeching car noises. I know that marabou aren't really judgmental, and that pelicans aren't really pompous. I consider myself a reasonably sophisticated film viewer, and can see that the seeds being shot out of the little dry plant in one scene are animated, not real. If you feel colorful bits of embroidered reality like this render a so-called documentary unwatchable, then reach behind yourself and carefully remove the stick from up your posterior. Oh, never mind, just watch "Nova."Maybe "documentary" isn't the right word to describe this film, which is an entertainment that incorporates nature footage and some nature fact, dramatic or comedic invention, and musical accompaniment. What would you call it? It's sort of a "whatsit." Whatever it is, it warms the cockles of my heart, and this cockle-warmer can be enjoyed by people of all ages – something rare enough these days. It is, in general, wry and amusing, but the part that made an overwhelming impact on me since my first viewing is that near the end, where a pitiful troupe of abandoned pelican chicks are dying in the scorching sun. The three-day struggle of the clouds to drop rain onto the desert, and the sun's efforts to prevent it, are depicted as a titanic battle of opposing armies, with spectacularly beautiful footage of clouds and sunlight dramatically accompanied by the Liszt tone poem "Les Preludes." I still find this imaginative interpretation of these natural events absolutely gripping, and I imagine it must have made a powerful impression on many young kids who've seen this film over the years. The final scene is pure joy.Do see this film. Buy the DVD. It's excellent, and the chances are overwhelming that you will like it. Most people seem to.

The best animal documentary you will ever watch. Funny and exciting. You will love every minute of it. Greatest fun I've had in years.Do not miss it. A classic in every sense.

I loved this movie so much that I watched it at least 5 times at the very time when it was released. I've just seen it again after 27 years and I am still in love with it. Seeing that, my friend Sandy promised to buy me a copy for Christmas. Guess how many more times I am going to watch it?! I greatly recommend this movie to all people of all ages.