An “animal film” of sorts that came out this week on DVD/Blue-ray, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” is populated by computer-generated-imagery primates. Not only were no animals harmed in the making of that film — no animals were exploited at all!
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Real primates have no business being exploited for film. They are exploited enough already, whether for bushmeat in the wild or as “pets” in captivity.
The filmmakers’ ethically noble decision to employ digital magic rather than living (though probably suffering) animals didn’t lessen the appeal of “Apes,” apparently: It ranks ninth this year in domestic box office grosses.
I was impressed by the quality of the CGI, which allowed for a much more creative (and cruelty-free) story-telling.
Earlier this year, Hollywood produced a couple of other animal-related films that had compassionate messages. The animated “Rio,” which I blogged about in May, https://www.bornfreeusa.org/bfusablog.php?p=2804&more=1 advocated in an entertaining way that parrots should be left in the wild. And “The Big Year,” my Canadian colleague and avid birder Barry Kent MacKay tells me, portrays birders in a positive light.
I’m no formal film critic, but movies that might help animals are OK by me. Considering my parents starred in “Born Free,” an experience that helped bring this organization before you today, I’m entitled to give a thumb’s up and dig into the popcorn!
Blogging off,
Will