Zambezia
Story
Once
there,
he
befriends,
Ezee
(Jamal
Mixon),
Zoe
(Abigail
Breslin)
the
spirited
Kite,
Sekhuru
(Leonard
Nimoy)
the
mentor
and
father
figure
of
all
Zambezians
and
the
rest
of
the
Zambezian
civilization.
He
learns
about
the
elite
Hurricanes,
the
truth
of
his
origins
and
how
to
be
part
of
this
community.
He
integrates
himself
by
being
a
part
of
the
rescue
team
that
protects
Zambezia
from
the
scavenging
Marabous
and
Budzo
(Jim
Cummings),
the
oversized
iguana
lizard.
Simple
Plot
For
Zambezia
The
plot
of
the
film
is
simple
and
uncomplicated.
Interspersed
with
little
lessons
of
bonding
and
survival,
everything
used
in
creation
of
this
animated
world
has
been
sourced
from
the
natural
surroundings
found
in
the
Zambezi
River
Valley
like
-
the
Peregrine
falcons,
the
Nightjars,
the
iguana,
storks,
weaver
birds
etc.
Wayne
Thornley's
Direction
Written
by
a
group
of
writers,
the
film
is
headed
by
Director
Wayne
Thornley.
In
his
maiden
directorial
venture,
he
has
done
a
commendable
job.
The
script
flows
smoothly.
The
quirky
dialogues
are
witty
and
never
over
the
top.
There
is
no
slapstick
comedy
that
could
entice
the
younger
audience,
but
scenes
like;
Ezee
at
the
massage
parlour
or
when
the
birds
at
the
salon
are
getting
a
makeover
with
powder
shower
puffs
are
humorous.
Animation
Work
Visually
the
computer
generated
animated
images
are
marvellous.
The
animals
are
perfectly
anthropomorphized.
The
animators
have
painstakingly
ensured
that
the
swishing
of
the
plumes
and
the
facial
expressions
sync
well
with
emotions.
Zambezia
-
Colourful
&
Mesmerise
There
are
plenty
of
ogling
images
with
a
vast
array
of
colours
that
would
mesmerise
you.
For
instance,
the
magnificence
of
the
imposing
Victoria
Falls,
the
location
and
the
layout
of
the
Zambezia
city
itself,
the
spectacular
sunsets
and
a
diverse
mix
of
birds
is
something
that
you
would
treasure.
Background
Score
In
Zambezia
Music
Director
Bruce
Retief's
background
score
is
lively
and
foot
tapping.
The
lyrics
are
unpretentious
and
patriotic
especially
the
song
"A
wind
of
change
will
blow
across
this
nation."
Zambezia
Verdict
This
film
is
an
amalgamation
of
South
African
spirit
and
Hollywood
subtlety.
Targeted
at
kids
between
5
to
10
years
of
age,
parents
too
would
find
the
film
fascinating.
The
film
is
refreshingly
delightful.
Zambezia
Production
Team
Director:
Wayne
Thornley
Voiceovers:
Jeremy
Suarez,
Samuel
J.
Jackson,
Jennifer
Lewis,
Abigail
Breslin,
Leonard
Nimoy,
Jeff
Goldblum,
Richard
E.
Grant,
Jamal
Mixon,
Jim
Cummings
Music:
Bruce
Retief