the audience applauded

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Californian teens Ted (Keith Coogan) and Susan (Lucy Deakins) come to Kenya to stay with their scientist parents for six months. They befriend local child goat herder Morogo. They find a baby cheetah after the mother is killed by poacher. They name her Duma. She gets bigger and they try to teach her how to hunt with little success. Duma gets kidnapped by poachers who wants to race her against greyhounds. They suspect Patel but they are suppose to return home. Instead, they sneak off to rescue Duma with Morogo's help.It's a simple family movie. The two lead actors are good capable performers. The rest of the cast are pretty amateurish. The story isn't anything special. The best thing about the movie is the wild life. There are some good close encounters. It's a good one for the tiny ones but not for anybody else.

Los Angeles teenager Keith Coogan (as Ted Johnson) and pretty sister Lucy Deakins (as Susan) go to live in Kenya for six months. They befriend local goat-herder Colin Mothupi (as Morogo) and adopt a young cheetah after its mother is killed by poachers. Animals in captivity don't learn to hunt properly, and are therefore not easy to return to the wild. When it's time to leave, Mr. Coogan tries to teach "Cheetah" to hunt, but the cat hasn't a clue. Since this seems to be a relatively free-to-roam "outside" cat, you have to wonder if something else is wrong - but, probably, we're just supposed to go with the flow. Also strange is how Coogan and Ms. Deakins share a bedroom - but they seem mature enough to work out any awkwardness. Things get really hairy when poachers target "Cheetah" at the same time Coogan and company are scheduled to leave the continent. The story is far too simple, but the cast is likable and the African locations are very beautiful.****** Cheetah (8/18/89) Jeff Blyth ~ Keith Coogan, Lucy Deakins, Colin Mothupi, Timothy Landfield

Why does Disney always make movies about kids befriending animals and saving them from poachers? There are just too many to count. In spite of that, this is a good children's movie. Two kids, Ted (Kieth Coogan) and Susan (Lucy Deakins), are living in Kenya with their parents who are scientists. Boredom overtakes these city kids until they adopt a cheetah and raise. Soon, however, they must release it into the wild, due to the obvious difficulties of raising an adult cheetah and the necessity of having it live outside of the captive. Except, their cheetah is taken up by those damn poachers. So, the kids and their parents, fight against the armed poachers to get it back. This movie is quite similar to a "A Far Off Place" which was released a few years later, starring Reece Witherspoon and Ethan Embry. If you enjoy "Cheetah," you'll likely enjoy that one as well. These were pretty decent kids movies and ones that provide a gorgeous view of Sub Sahara Africa.

"Cheetah" is a treasure of a family film. It is very memorable, and enjoyable throughout. The acting is good, as the young cast of stars shine. The scenery is amazing, and the premise is a unique, original idea. I'm surprised this film hasn't received more attention, as it is truly one of the greatest family films ever. Disney does a superb job here with "Cheetah"...people of all ages will enjoy this film.