Endangered Species (2021) User Reviews

Underwhelming, Horrible CGI

[BananaHeads · 4/10 · 27 May 2021]

I love movies with Africa as the backdrop and was looking forward to this movie. The CGI was so bad that it ruined the flow of the movie. It was laughable. It's also one of those movies where the characters do every stupid thing possible in every situation. I ended up rooting for the vicious animals. Overall a huge disappointment.

A bunch of lunatics on a safari

[martin-perfumedgarden · 4/10 · 31 May 2021]

A family on a Safari Adventure in Kenya making one stupid decision after the other. I only watched it to the end because of scenic wild landscapes. As a nature photographer I enjoyed the wild grassland savanna landscapes but the acting was horrible and the story hideous.

I didn't believe the poor reviews but they are mostly accurate.

[TxMike · 2 November 2021]

The makers of this movie had a good intent, to point out the problem of poachers in Africa, focusing here on Kenya. To do it they developed a fictional story of a family of four, plus their daughter's boyfriend, traveling for a vacation observing wildlife in Kenya. To me the most interesting part of the movie happens during the last 30 minutes.

My wife started watching with me, at home on DVD from our public library. She gave up and left the room after about 20 minutes. The vacationers are so annoying that I was hoping some animals would eat them quickly and put us viewers out of our misery. But that didn't happen.

Anyway this is mostly a miss, it was interesting enough because unless you watch a truly poor movie occasionally you can't really appreciate the good movies with well-written scripts.

No way this is a 5 out of 10

[gregorionchant · 2/10 · 28 May 2021]

It's a 10 if you like watching stupid people make one stupid decision after another.

I literally started fast forwarding 5 minutes in, hoping to reach a point where I wasn't watching a gang of imbeciles (the "family") but nope.... a total waste of time.

2 is being generous.

Lunatic 'dad' & airhead family had me rooting for the animals!

[hooper-65382 · 1/10 · 29 May 2021]

Having been to Africa, including photo safari game runs, on two memorable occasions I sat bug eyed in disbelief at the gross stupidity of this screenplay. For the first time in recorded history lunatic 'dad' books plane tickets and a safari lodge (hotel) but intentionally does NOT book a photo safari for the family. Photo safari means a vehicle and at the very least a driver/guide who will find the wildlife, identify the wildlife and and assure your survival driving to and from the safari lodge. While you could technically rent a vehicle in Nairobi zero safari hotels, in the wild, will provide a vehicle for guests to head out on their own. What could be worse then going it alone? Driving off the main safari road so that you are guaranteed to be lost and with chances of all surviving being reduced to about zero. More kudos for an absurd screenplay!

And this is merely the premise of this absurd film, as many others have mentioned. The CGI was awful but the actors did an okay job playing the role of idiots per the screenplay they were stuck with. This film would have rated 8 stars if it was titled: The Three Stooges and Their Families Go On Safari!

Disappointing

[kuryu-15318 · 3/10 · 27 May 2021]

Though the production values were decent and the acting was acceptable, the story was trite and predictable from one minute to the next. I won't go into examples because that would necessarily add spoilers and, in any case, there are just too many of them to list. Additionally, most of the animals that were the main characters driving the story line were so noticeably computer generated they weren't believable at all. I expected more from this but was extremely disappointed. Not recommended.

Don't bother

[em71-26-840421 · 1/10 · 28 May 2021]

Could have been such a good film with better acting and CGI. So hard to find the right words to describe just how painful it was to watch.

CGI from a Commodore 64

[kopitetimes · 2/10 · 28 May 2021]

Awful acting, no real story and the CGI was an absolute embarrassment. I feel sorry for anyone associated with the movie that has to watch cartoon rhinos in it. Only a 5 year old could have given this a quality seal of approval.

Underrated

[dvogel-67004 · 7/10 · 14 August 2022]

Some of the reviews are a bit harsh. It's really not that bad. Sure some parts could have been played better and maybe the story could have been told better. But I actually quite enjoyed the film.

Bad but not for the reasons many are stating

[lockout-59506 · 3/10 · 31 May 2021]

When I read the reviews for this film the one thing I repeatedly saw being said was that there was non stop stupid decisions by the main characters. I would like to remind people that this is basically the premise for every film. If people made the right decisions there would be nothing on TV.

I do agree however that the acting was bad an the CGI was not very well done. Definitely could have been better but was anyone reallu expecting this to be a masterpiece? There are definitely worse films out there.

Keeps you entertained, definitely not a 1 or 2 star

[robyn_ramos · 7/10 · 5 June 2021]

Viewers I believe are being way too harsh on this movie. Sure the family was annoying & too bickering, but this was just part of the storyline. The plot itself was complete & entertaining. There was action, suspense, survival, adventure. After about 20-25min into the movie the survival kicks into gear & I think the director did a good job making you feel lucky to be on the couch watching the movie rather than being in their situation.

Give it a go, it's entertaining.

dumb dora

[sandcrab277 · 1/10 · 20 December 2021]

The fact that anyone would take a diabetic on a safari is insane ... letting a teenager with no driving experience operate a vehicle in the confines of a very regulated area is plain stupid... they had a map no one could read and no compass... this was a made for stupidity film... i wasted my time to look at this crap so you better heed this ...if you make a survival film, learn how to survive first ... ear rings and nose rings do not make you an expert at saving african wildlife on the brink of extinction ... stop using rhino horn as an aphrodisiac and the useless killing of rhinos will cease.

The Directors Direction Went In The Wrong Direction From Film Start To Film End!

[silicontourist · 30 May 2021]

M. J. Bassett, as both director and one of the 3 writers, did the wildlife of Africa no justice whatsoever; as he turned a very real story of real life sad events into a botched up shambles of a thriller-less and action-less load of embarrassing stupidity!

It pisses me off that film directors who have no clue of a good idea, have the gall to think the vast majority of the viewing public are gullible idiots. Everything about this film (except the reason for making it to inform the world about the danger to animal species due to scumbags, both wealthy and poverty stricken, involved in the poaching industry) was just wrong!

I have seen much, much, MUCH better films, both fictional and documentary, highlighting the near mass extermination of animals to satisfy (the mainly Chinese market) mythical beliefs and greedy profiteers!

I have spent time in the wild wilderness of Kenya and experienced the constant awareness of vigilant alertness to ever present danger, and encountered the ecstatic beauty that can be seen amidst everyday daily life. I have spent time with the Masai tribal people, and listened to their stories, as well as other tribal group members. Its a country of raw, wild and dangerous beauty but its nothing like the clueless insult that this film projects (though I will admit that Americans being the sort of people they are can quite possibly be found to act as stupid as this family but, human nature is much like that the world over in this day and age).

With all the hardships and misery people have these days I would suggest that they avoid this utter claptrap.

PS: No wonder I prefer Sci-Fi, South Korea, both Japanese Anime and action movies. The far east makes much better films these days.

Really bad CGI animals

[dougfm · 1/10 · 29 May 2021]

It's been mentioned a few times but it really ruins an already bad movie. What could possibly go wrong sending a group of tourists out into the wilds of Africa on their own? It's just one stupid mistake after another.

Don't waste your money and time. Everything about this movie is bad.

[the_donnie · 1/10 · 29 May 2021]

A bunch of entitled tourists go to a safari in Africa and do stupid things - that's the plot. Poor performances, you can't connect to any of the characters. Low quality special effects for the animals, a cartoon would look more real. Everything else is just bad.

Lmao

[td_username · 2/10 · 27 November 2021]

The whole story is about an idiotic family who makes the dumbest decision after the next in Africa. I dont know how the father gained his prestigious role in a very lucrative oil company to gain his wealth when he is obviously born with 1/4 of a brain. He was saying how important college is for his daughter yet he can't comprehend making any rationale decision at all. This horror/thriller is quite hilarious. I'm just glad that they didn't cast Eric Roberts for the father role in another terrible "B" movie, I'm tired of seeing that guys face.

what's with the casting????

[A_Different_Drummer · 3/10 · 30 May 2021]

The story is bad enough. Five of the dumbest and most contrary tourists in the history of film decide it would be cool to manage their own safari. With no prior experience whatsoever. But the casting is absurd. Early in the script the husband criticizes his daughter for dating an older boy. The wife (played by the too-glamorous Rebecca Romijn) replies the age difference was the same as theirs ... when they dated. Except the casting is backwards. In reality Romijn is 10 years older than Winchester, and not the other way around?????

worth the watch

[mabaker_brahvi · 7/10 · 1 June 2021]

I dont ever want to even think about going on a Safari,not now,not ever.

Soul Crushingly Awful

[neil-43355 · 1/10 · 10 June 2021]

The scenery was quite good, however, the acting, storyline, music, direction, production and just about everything else was dire apart from the CGI which was an utter joke and almost laughable - the animals looked like something off a ZX Spectrum game.

Don't say you haven't been warned, this is up there with the very worst films starring 5 of the most unlikeable characters ever set to film and I couldn't wait till they all died - very disappointed they didn't.

If you know this isn't a documentary, please give high stars

[OneAnjel · 9/10 · 15 January 2022]

I admit, the acting and the stupidity of the characters is classic dumb. But the film is actually suspenseful and engaging. The low stars for these things makes me wonder what they were expecting. Hopefully, we all know better than to take glass bottles on a safari. But that's part of the way the film makes us all feel so much smarter than the characters. Everything these characters do is super dumb -- going on a safari alone without a gun; getting closer for a picture of a massive Rhino while the inexperienced driver is at the wheel... But believe it or not, these are actually some of the dumb things people do in situations they aren't familiar with who are basing their decisions only on their limited knowledge or lack of it. I felt the film had a message and I'm sad that so many people didn't understand the message and chose instead to nitpick the lack of intelligence or, in some cases, imagine they're seeing some woke theme (from people who see the entire world as one political pole or the other). This isn't all that different from the stupidity of the characters in Jurassic Park and yet that film has high scores because of the high cost to make it. That's what you call hypocrisy.

I liked it.

[dieselfarina · 6/10 · 7 June 2021]

I just wanted some entertainment. I wasn't looking for a challenge or deep philosophy or high art. I didn't want to work at it. I just wanted a movie for a couple of hours of easy entertainment, and this movie provided that. I liked it.

no worse than 60% of the movies out there

[dlbartdlb · 5/10 · 16 July 2021]

As others have said the characters make stupid decisions. The worst is the daughter who decides to spit an criticize her kidnappers but her character was a bioche the whole way thru. BUT this is no worse than most of the movies that score 7 or even more out of 10. The one thing that really gets me is that at the end of the movie the director makes a big statement about rhinos & other animals disappearing due to poaching. SERIOUSLY? This cheezy movie did nothing to raise the issue of poaching other than the fact that there was 5 minutes of poaching in the movie. P.s i still can't believe that rebecca stamos married that goofy charlie guy.

Stupid People - Horrible Script

[bpow05 · 1/10 · 28 December 2021]

Who writes this crap- better yet how does anyone get sold on a script that is just mind boggling horrible. I hope any American going on an adventure trip has a whole bunch more common sense than the scripting for this cast. I mean just one stupid thing after the other- and I do hate that they stereotype the American traveler like a bunch of moron with not an once of saavy in bad situations. Even a young child has better survival skills. Bad from begging to start and I really tried to like it. The mom is the only good actor.

So-so safari slip-up survival story

[I_Ailurophile · 5/10 · 20 May 2022]

The concept is one that we've seen turned into movies before, and fits into a larger subgenre of adventure-thrillers about survival in difficult circumstances. Of course that doesn't mean that this iteration can't be worthwhile, only that audiences know roughly what to expect. Beyond that, filmmaker MJ Bassett has proven her capabilities previously; however one may judge the quality of the content, she has demonstrated fine fundamental skills in building a feature. With all that said, I did have mixed expectations about 'Endangered species' in the first place, following on the heels of Bassett's so-so, adequate prior film 'Rogue,' but I'm willing to give just about anything a try. I regret to say, however, that it didn't take long for this to begin making a particular impression. It's not abjectly bad - but it's just not special in any way, either.

Stop me if this sounds familiar: Brazenly ignorant, arrogant travelers. (Surprise - they're white! And American!) Heavily splintered family dynamics. A character with a health condition that heightens the risks. A stoner, a rebel, an athlete, a bull-headed father. A series of small decisions, and a precise series of events, that significantly tilts the odds in an unfavorable direction with a neatness that comes across as contrived Movie Magic. If not as substantially as other survival flicks I could name (if you haven't seen 2020's 'Horizon Line' - don't), 'Endangered species' works hard to add drama in any way that it can, to the point that it severely jeopardizes suspension of disbelief. And it includes so many tropes and conventions of the genre that it's hard not to feel like the movie is simply treading recycled water the whole time.

I can't say that it isn't enjoyable; the problems emphatically detract from the movie, but aren't so deep as to absolutely rob the title of all value. There are strong ideas here broadly, and in the face of dire peril, the shifting dialogue between the primary characters, dancing around the existing fissures, holds potential. In the latter instance one could almost imagine the scenario being ripe for a stage play where the interpersonal conflict unfolds in an inappropriate setting. On the other hand, in addition to those faulty elements I've already mentioned: The CGI used to realize animals in connection with the characters, or in moments of action, isn't altogether awful, but is also very unmistakably CGI, and the behavior of the animals is also in question. The introduction of another very predictable aspect of the plot in the last act stirs in a) intended emotional weight that is dampened from the outset owing to all the previous artificially inflated drama, and b) themes that are well worth exploring on their own merits, but which feel like they've been forcibly shoehorned into this picture. And with that, one more matter - whatever the medium, whenever a discrete message takes priority in a work of art (song, film) over the essential content, the content almost always suffers. There is one pointedly accentuated notion coursing through the film, but for most of the length it mostly feels like flavor; it isn't meaningfully spotlighted until a block of text concluding the picture, at which point it seems extraneous and ill-considered, like an afterthought.

I don't dislike 'Endangered species,' but I also find myself unable to speak more highly of it than I do. Once again, it's well-made from a technical standpoint - but the writing is both heavy-handed and club-footed. The drama is excessive, and strained if not phony, while too many facets are so common as to be passe. There are good ideas here, but either there are too many, or they are applied to a film for which they are ill-suited. I don't think Bassett or her daughter, co-writer and cast member Isabel, are bad writers, but I feel like they need to work towards creating a movie where the narrative speaks for itself, without any need for twists, hooks, or embellishments. If a more simple, plainspoken, unadorned approach were taken here, the title would have greatly benefited. You could do a lot worse than 'Endangered species,' if you come across it, but unless you're a diehard fan of someone that's involved, you don't really need to fret about it, either.

Most recommendable for those open to all the wide variety that cinema has to offer, and for a lazy day when you want something to watch but can't make a decision.

Not bad at all

[stephanie_wal-04572 · 7/10 · 6 June 2021]

I actually enjoyed it although it was a bit far fetched. I mean, really far fetched but entertaining. I don't understand the bad reviews. Give it a chance.