Cheetah (1989)

They taught him how to play video games. He showed them how to survive! For California teenagers, Ted Johnson (Keith Coogan, ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING), and his sister Susan, a summer vacation in Africa turns into an incredible adventure and a struggle for survival! With their new friend, Morogo, a Masai tribal boy, they share an amazing, confusing, and funny cross-cultural friendship. Together they find an orphaned cheetah cub, "Duma," and raise her as a pet. But when Duma is stolen by corrupt gamblers, Ted and Susan set out alone across the uncharted wildnerness to find her. Their mission: a daring rescue. Their only ally: Morogo ... if he can find them! CHEETAH is a thrilling adventure about friendship, courage, and survival ... an unforgettable journey that will take you into the very heart of the African wilderness!

Childhood Treasure

Cheetah is one of those movies that I wore the tape out on as a kid. It tugged my heartstrings with the poachers and racing schemes. But it also made me smile when I was shown that people *did* care about animals.

I was 8 when it first came out, and my mom made sure I had a copy the moment the tape came out. I played it all the time, along with The Last Unicorn, Labyrinth, and the old Shaggy Dog movies. She had to replace copies every so often, especially after a hurricane decimated my collection.

I'm so glad I have the chance to own this movie again. It makes finals week much easier to bear. May 1, 2008

Great Kids Movie

I saw this movie when I was a kid, when I saw it again a bought straight away !!!!! It a great movie about friendship and Cheetahs.. March 2, 2008

The Ups and Downs of "Cheetah" (mostly ups)

Africa is Alive! In many films the native life and the wildlife of Africa is displayed as part of the movie, and "Cheetah" is no exception. "Cheetah" tells the story of a boy named Ted and a girl named Susan who take a vacation in Africa, because of their father's job. Running approximately 83 minutes long, this Walt Disney production, which was made in 1989 and is centered in Kenya, shows some parts of Africa. This movie is based on the book, "The Cheetah's" written by Alan Caillou. Since this film has been rated "G" it can be enjoyed by children of all ages, and be watched by the grown-up members of the family. Certainly this movie is a unique wildlife epic. "Cheetah" is an adventure!

As is already known, "Cheetah" is set in Kenya Africa. The time that the story is set in is modern times (or modern times back in 1989). The leitmotif of this movie is a cheetah. In the beginning of the movie Ted and Susan are disappointed because they are not aloud to explore the surrounding African wild. They are excited because they are in Africa but saddened that they do not get to see any of it. Finally, however, Ted and Susan find something to liven up their trip. They find a baby Cheetah. A poacher had killed the baby duma's mother (duma is in the native word for cheetah), and Ted and Susan decide to keep her. They named her Duma. Duma grows and grows. She becomes very docile. Growing sad as the time draws near for their departure, Ted and Susan have to say goodbye to Morogo, a native friend who they had met. They will probably never see him or Duma again. Like most movies, the tension in "Cheetah" builds up as it progresses, and as is also the case with other movies, the central characters in "Cheetah" get into tight situations as they have adventures in Africa.

At the beginning of the exciting part, (which is) closer to the end of the movie, Ted and Susan, because they are leaving, have to decide what to do with the cheetah. Should they give the cheetah to a zoo or should they let her go free, into the wild? Duma had forgotten how to hunt, and, in fact, how to be a cheetah, but Ted and Susan decide to release her into the wild. They try to train her. Sneaking into Ted's and Susan's house, snooping around and stealing Duma, Mr. Patel, the local store owner, and two other men, including the ignominious, and deus ex machina poacher, want the cheetah to run in a race of the prolific sport of racing cheetahs against gray hounds. Ted and Susan make an un-astute choice, and go looking for the cheetah by themselves. Only the brave Morogo who coolly and diligently acts as guide through their journey accompanies them. As they make their way through Kenya, They suffer from want of food and water. Ultimately, however, they find the poachers headquarters, where Duma is being trained for the race. At night, they attempt to rescue their beloved cheetah, however, even though they have found Duma, she is not out of the poacher's hands yet.

Unfortunately right when Ted and Susan find Duma, they are caught, put in a cage and left while the evil men start for the race. They somehow escaped. Ted, Susan and Morogo, all began traveling to the location of the race, only to be caught by the searching policemen roaming the roads for them. While at a gas station, they again escape because of the inattentiveness of the policeman, and finally make it to their destination. Sadly, they arrived too late too stop the race but surprisingly Duma, who had fallen behind, put on a burst of speed and triumphantly wins the race. Ted and Susan were able to get their tamed cheetah back, but then they face a choice, either to keep Duma for the few weeks that remained of their stay, or to let her go free and never see her again. Since the ending denouement will not be divulged in this critique, all that can be said is that Ted and Susan made the right choice.

"Cheetah" is a good movie for a quiet evening in which every one wants good entertainment. Cleverly and unnoticeably intertwined within this film, like a large, green, grape vine on a trellis, are several morals, and one, which is as popular as Elvis, because of its invaluable lesson, is "evil never prospers". Although this movie is good there is one fault; Ted does not act his age. Besides the one mistake, the movie "Cheetah" is a very good one. June 16, 2007

Cheetah Was a childhood favorite of mine...

It brought back so many fond memories to watch a great Disney classic, I was so excited to share this movie with my son. He also loved it, and it has now become a favorite of his. I would recommend this movie for a wonderful family movie night. January 10, 2007

If you love cheetahs...

This was my absolute favorite movie when I was a child. I haven't seen it in years, though I know I have a worn out tape of it somewhere. I remember the cheetah was adorable and the story, while possibly being typical Disney fluff, was heartwarming. I'd definitely recommend it as a gift for any child who loves animals. June 8, 2006

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