'Elephant': Grueling migration of gentle giants overshadows documentary's celebrity narrator Meghan Markle

While it may seem that Meghan Markle's name, elaborately attached to the document could take away from the importance of the documentary, such is not the case
UPDATED APR 3, 2020
(Getty/Disney+)
(Getty/Disney+)

'Elephant', Disneynature's new documentary that logs in a grueling 1,000 miles migration journey of a herd of elephants keeps in mind the importance of the story rather than focusing on its celebrity narrator Meghan Markle.

While this may have been Meghan's first post-royal job since she announced she'd be relieving herself of royal duties along with husband Prince Harry, her narration may have lacked a certain luster needed to guide us through the journey of this incredible herd. 

While we expect the flawless narration of Sir David Frederick Attenborough, it is not to say that Meghan's subtle laughter and the ominous tone were completely dusty.

Disney kept its focus on the intense filmmaking, a skill that you wouldn't take lightly after watching the migration of Gaia, the matriarch and her herd.

With untouched scenes of pure overwhelming footage of the animal kingdom, we are shown the importance of the gentle giants who have been victims of animal cruelty such as ivory poaching. The last of the elephants that still continue with this migration, their heavy trot through the Kalahari takes center stage in the entire documentary. 

A documentary such as 'Elephant' may take animal lovers into their deepest interests on making sure we still have these beats running around for a longer duration but also is able to pull the amateurs in with its excellent portrayal of a usually hushed topic.

The documentary plants its focus on three African elephants Gaia, the herd matriarch, her sister Shani, next in line to endure a great responsibility and Jomo, Shani's one-year-old calf who's just now learning to step into adulthood.

While it may seem that Meghan's name, elaborately attached to the document, could take away from the importance of the documentary, such is not the case.

We are sure that you would focus on the excellent shots of the incredibly vast African savannah as Disney cameras are explicitly placed so as to not disturb nature in its natural course of epic vivaciousness.

The wildlife documentary takes a stand on the sanctity of the elephants that should be welcomed rather than focusing on the faces behind the drama happening on screen. In fact, if you weren't informed or knew Meghan's voice from her days on 'Suits', you would only see her name show up later in the credits.

Disney made sure that while viewers may be overshadowed by the voice of Meghan, what she's saying was given much more importance as the editors focussed on the scenes that would divulge information on the wild beasts and their journey.

'Elephant' is now available to stream on Disney Plus.

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