Very small children may be amused, or at least distracted, by the English-language version of “Delhi Safari,” India’s first locally produced, stereo 3D-animated feature. But it’s unlikely many parents will feel compelled to pay firstrun admission prices for such a blandly unremarkable product during this retrofitted import’s theatrical run. The pic appears destined to fast-forward to homescreen platforms in English-speaking territories

The derivative plot pivots on efforts by a band of plucky animals — including a cute leopard cub (voiced by Tara Strong), his protective mother (Vanessa Williams), a belligerent monkey (Carlos Alazraqui), a forgetful pigeon (Christopher Lloyd) and a gentle-natured bear (Brad Garrett) — to save their Sanjay Gandhi National Park home from the ravages of supposedly eco-friendly developers. There’s an abundance of Bollywood-style production numbers — most notably, a flamingo extravaganza with a touch of Busby Berkeley — and a few odd (in this context) wisecracks that suggest awkward interpretations of the original Hindi dialogue (“They’re playing him like a cheap sitar”). For the most part, however, the pic all too obviously recycles bits and pieces from “Madagascar,” “The Lion King” and other made-in-America toons. Unfortunately, much gets lost in the translation.

http://variety.com/2012/film/reviews/delhi-safari-1117948877/

There’s always something tricky about animated message films like India’s 3-D Delhi Safari, which tells the story of a group of animals trekking from Mumbai to Delhi in hopes of persuading humans to stop tearing down the jungle. Out of the mistaken belief that the cartoon sugarcoating means the moralizing should be amped up, filmmakers often forget the importance of telling an engaging story. See: The Mystical Laws. (Better yet, don’t see it, because The Mystical Laws is horrible.) Although its message is never subtle, Delhi Safari is fun enough to earn the right to preach. Originally in both Hindi and English, this domestic version features an all-English-language cast led by My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic‘s Tara Strong, and beyond the redubbing there are (thankfully) no real attempts to hide the movie’s origins. The Bollywood-style dance numbers are showstoppers, and though it would have been simple to change bits of the dialogue to things American children would be more likely to recognize—replacing “Parliament” with “Congress,” say—Delhi Safari remains faithful to its Indian setting. (Extra credit goes to director Nikhil Advani for giving himself a cameo wearing a FCUK T-shirt.) “Share the world,” indeed.

http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-12-05/film/delhi-safari-film-review/

3D animation “Delhi Safari” premiered Monday in Los Angeles.

The film is an effort to show children the importance of protecting animals and taking care of the planet.

The film is endorsed by several environmental advocating companies including PETA, The Humane Society, Go Green Foundation, Last Chance For Animals, Dove Foundation and other charity organizations.

SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) FRED DE WYSOCKI, Executive Producer
“It’s a great message that they have about saving the animals, saving the forest, and there’s a lot of other messages in other countries we can use the same method to kind bring awareness to a younger demographic to a broader global audiences.”

SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) ROXANE BARBAT, Voiceover Director
“It was just an amazing process, it’s a really wonderful film with a great message: sharing the world basically.”

Actors who provided their voice for the film include Jane Lynch, Cary Elwes, Jason Alexander, Brad Garrett and Christopher Lloyd. The film tells a story of a journey undertaken by a leopard cub named Yuvi.

Yuvi’s mother Begam, a monkey Bajrangi, lovable bear Bagga and a parrot named Alex used to live in a forest. But the forest was torn down by humans. The five animals decide to find those who tore down their home and make them understand the dangerous outcome of destroying the forest and everything in it. To fulfill their mission, the have to overcome a lot of difficulties, but they also make a lot of new friends.

SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) TOM KENNY, Voice Actor
“My character, Alex the parrot is kind of of a wise parrot, he is actually a domesticated parrot that really hasn’t ever have to live in the wild, and falls in with these animals and has to give up all the comforts that he is being used to, and, like me, not good in the wild.”

SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) TROY BAKER, Voice Actor
“You’re goanna see me in the movie tonight, he is this wonderful little tiger, he is goanna make you cry.”

The film touches a serious subject while incorporating lots of comedy, fitting the holiday season very well for the kids when Christmas is just around the corner.

The film will be released in theaters on Friday in the U.S.