For Island of Lemurs: Madagascar, a film crew took an IMAX camera to the isolated island to shoot a movie about some of the cutest and most endangered creatures on our planet. Check out Kidzworld’s review of the movie!
By: Lynn Barker
As a lemur, you spend your days, dancing, “singing” and munching on berries, insects and bamboo, swinging in trees, running, jumping huge distances and avoiding the humans who might burn your home or hunt you… for dinner!
Lemur mom and baby swing through treesCourtesy of Warner Bros.
The History
We are told that 60 million years ago, before monkeys existed, there were many species of lemurs, some as big as a gorilla! They originated in Africa but when a big storm hit, lemurs floated on a grass island to the big island of Madagascar where there were no predators at all so they multiplied… a lot.
Beautiful MadagascarCourtesy of Warner Bros.
The Present
Now, in Madagascar, of course humans inhabit and are slash burning the lemur forest habitat to start farms or cattle ranches to make a living. When the people are hungry, sometimes they hunt the larger lemurs. Dr. Patricia Wright, a primatologist (studying species of apes, monkeys and lemurs) went to Madagascar to see if the Greater Bamboo Lemur had already gone extinct. She sees one deep in the forest and is thrilled. They eat bamboo like pandas do. Patricia decided to convince the people to save land for sanctuaries for all lemurs.
Look guys! Dessert!Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Singing and Dancing
Most lemurs live in family groups and some “sing”, tossing back their heads and making a loud “Oooooo” sound. The Sifaka lemurs jump around so much they appear to be dancing. The ringtails have moved to live on high, steep mountains. They leap fearlessly. The females are the bosses of the family groups, deciding where the group eats, lives and curls up in big lemur “balls” to sleep at night.
Dancing lemur with buddiesCourtesy of Warner Bros.
Locals Study Lemurs
Some of the Malagasy people learn to be scientists studying to help the animals. They help put out some of the out-of-control fires and humanely catch tiny mouse lemurs to examine and tag then release them. The little critters don't seem too upset by the action. Scientists would like to help lemurs have more babies. In a forest preserve live a dad and daughter lemur who think they are the last of their kind. Scientists find others and a cool reunion and mating dance takes place.
Hanging LemursCourtesy of Warner Bros.
Up to Us
It is up to humans to educate everyone about these beautiful, friendly creatures and protect them as much as possible. Scientists like Dr. Patricia Wright are dedicating their lives to it. You can help too. Write reports for school on lemurs to let everyone know about them and the danger they face or “adopt” a lemur! Check out what you can do here.
Airbourne Lemur!Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Wrapping Up
Island of Lemurs: Madagascar is a beautiful film that will make you fall in love with these adorable, friendly, very endangered animals. If I weren’t a journalist and were still a kid or teen, the movie would make me want to grow up to be a primatologist to study and help to insure that these beautiful creatures stay among us!
Fluffy mom Sifaka lemur with adorable babyCourtesy of Warner Bros.
Using kindness, care and amazing cinematography, the IMAX filmmakers show you a land that is so isolated it looks like an alien planet! Floating high above Madagascar in a balloon with their IMAX camera, they give you the sense of flying over rough terrain you might never see otherwise. Their visits with the lemurs are sweet, funny and fascinating and the music accompanying the movie is upbeat and toe-tapping, especially songs you might recognize done with a special flavor by Malagasy recording artist Hanitra Rasoanaivo and her band Tarika.
Ring-tailed lemurs in their high mountain habitatCourtesy of Warner Bros.
Only available in the great IMAX 3D format, Island of Lemurs: Madagascar is a short, sweet and lovely way to spend some time at your local Cineplex. We don’t see any flaws! 5 stars!
Brown lemur climbs for better viewCourtesy of Warner Bros.
Island of Lemurs: Madagascar Movie Rating: 
Island of Lemurs: Madagascar PosterCourtesy of Warner Bros.
Catch Island of Lemurs: Madagascar in IMAX theaters starting April 4th!
Island of Lemurs: Madagascar Trailer
