Filmed in astounding 4K native 3D, Enchanted Kingdom is stunningly gorgeous look at the seven realms of Africa.
There are some truly remarkable sequences. My favourites are crocodiles attacking wildebeest, a gorilla family lazing about, lionfish hunting in the ocean, an elephant family's triumphant arrival at a water oasis, a desert viper trapping its prey, pelicans performing a synchronised dance and a chameleon having lunch.
It's frequently unbelievable just how close they got the cameras to their subjects, like the segment that's wickedly close to molten lava spewing out of the ground.
It also beggars belief how perfectly amazing acts of nature are framed up in the camera from before they even occur, with the crew somehow able to predict exactly where the action will happen.
As well as the animal life captured, there's plenty of timelapse sequences and sweeping aerial shots showing off the continent's mountain ranges, bountiful seascapes and dynamic weather systems.
I found some of the editing to be overdone, which stole some of the photography's impact. Especially as it was filmed in 3D, it would've been great to see nice, long shots of the extraordinary scenes captured, rather than the snappy quick-cuts often used instead.
Idris Elba's narration is great, but the music was an odd, eclectic mix that didn't elevate things like a classic rousing orchestral score would have.
There's also an intro and conclusion filmed in a rainy urban environment, both unnecessary segments that simply say humans like water, as animals do.
Despite these issues, Enchanted Kingdom is a lovely African getaway with spellbinding photography sure to amaze audience members of all ages.
Three stars.
Enchanted Kingdom is playing at the 2015 New Zealand Film Festival.
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Enchanted Kingdom 3D:: Directors: Patrick Morris, Neil Nightingale:: Rating: G:: Running Time: 87 minutes
