Disney’s Disneynature “African Cats” premiered on Earth Day, but a more appropriate day would have been Mother’s Day.

This unique film focus on two African cat families and their mothers’ struggle to protect them from all of the dangers lurking in the tall grasses around them.  The two mothers focused on in the film are Layla, the older lioness with an adolescent cub, Mara, and Sita, a cheetah with five newborn cubs. The scene is set in Africa, where each mother lives on opposite sides of the dangerous, crocodile-infested Masai River in Kenya.

The film captures the incredibly realistic story of life in the savannah. Viewers feel as if they are present for every adventure shown, from stalking through the tall grass during hunting sessions to everyday interactions with other wildlife due to the direction and scenary of the movie.

Although Layla, Sita, and their babies were the main characters, lions and cheetahs weren’t the only characters shown in this movie. Crocodiles, water buffalo, turtles, warthogs, elephants, storks, giraffes, and zebras are just a few of the animals that make an appearance in this film. It was unbelievable to see all the wonderful scenes and interactions between the animals that were captured on film.

For example, one of the young lion cubs, a cousin to Mara, finds a turtle. The turtle hides in its shell as the young lion uses it as a chew toy. Then after the lion gives up, the camera focuses in on the turtle, now lying belly-side-up on the ground, desperately trying to get to his feet.

Amusing scenes similar to this were dispersed throughout the movie in between scenes where hyenas and enemy lions attacked Layla’s lion pride and Sita’s cubs, and allowed for a refreshing twist to the movie. These twists are what made the movie more suitable for families. This movie was rated G, and Disneynature did a great job of making this an appropriate, one-of-a-kind experience that any age could enjoy.

While the playful, clumsy cubs steal the audience’s heart with their cuteness, the mothers show the audience that a mother’s love always proves victorious.

My verdict: two paws up!

Caroline Spath is a Multimedia Editor for “The Patriot” and jcpatriot.com