Africa 14: The Journey of the Brave (2010)

***Africa: The Journey of the Brave*** (also known as ***Africa XIV: The Journey of the Brave***) is a 2010 direct-to-video animated feature and the fourteenth film in *Africa* series. It is the first installment in the franchise to be released since 2001's *The Friends of Wisdom*. The film was directed by Davis Doi and written by Cliff Ruby and Elana Lesser. It was made available on DVD and Digital HD on February 2, 2010, with the DVD version exclusive to Walmart stores in North America until June 15, 2020, when it became available in other stores. The film features the voices of Wesley Snipes and country singer Bebe Neuwirth, who performs the song "Look for the Light". Like all other *Africa* movies, it is traditionally-animated.

## Plot:

Lenny, a young *East African Bush Elephant* living in the verdant Kupatana Valley, is eagerly awaiting the arrival of his father Brick, who returns to the valley with his herd once a year. However, he soon learns from a *Aardwolf* member of his dad's troupe named Wild Arms that his father became stranded in the wilderness when the *fire mountain* erupted, leaving the rest of the herd to go on without him. They ask Wild Arms for help, but he belligerently says no. The other grownups agree. After worrying about his father, Lenny sets out alone. However, the others soon catch up with him. They do fine at first, but run into the *earth divide*. It is suggested that they follow the *Long Valley* instead, but Lenny says that that will take too long, and that they must cross there. Luckily, they are able to knock down a tree, and get across.

After two close encounters with a duo of *Transvaal Lion*, night falls and the children go to sleep. Meanwhile, the elder animals learn about their children's trek, and decide to go after them with two younger ones - Charlie and Rhonda. They attempt to have Wild Arms guide them back to where Brick was last seen, but he faints at the mere sight of Charlie, a *lion*, and has to be carried, leaving Charlie to lead the way with his nose. The next morning, and a disagreement between Lenny and Cindy on which path to take causes Lenny to decide to go ahead alone. A sand cloud (sandstorm) then occurs, and Lenny is trapped in a cave, where he meets a *Martial Eagle* named Etta, who knows his father. Meanwhile, Cindy, Dottie, and Stan lose Patrik, who comes across a tribe of *diggers*. They soon find him, and they soon leave the diggers, who elect themselves a new leader.

Meanwhile, Etta tells Lenny what happened to Brick, and that he may well be dead. She also says that it was because Brick had rescued Wild Arms that he got into that mess. After many failed attempts to dig their way out of the cave, they head deeper into the cave itself, she sings a song to lead him on his way. The rest of the kids, meanwhile, run into a *Tanzanian Cheetah*, though Etta is able to hit a hole through the cave ceiling and help them get away. Etta eventually leads Lenny and his friends out of the cave, and to the fire mountain where they find Brick. It looks hopeless as he is surrounded by lava, and Brick tells them to go so they do not get hurt, but Lenny refuses.

Later, the grownups, plus Charlie and Rhonda, come across the *Tanzanian Cheetah*. Charlie smells it and they are able to hide from it, but are nearly discovered due to Wild Arms cowering in fear and making noise. Just before the Cheetah discovers them, it is distracted by a flock of *Eastern Spotted Hyenas*. Back at the fire mountain, Etta and the kids spring into action to save Brick. They are able to halt the Flowing Fire by sending water onto it, and use a tree to free Brick, though the flowing fire returns and Lenny and his father are trapped on the other side. Brick scoops him up, however, and jumps across the lava, and right after, the adults, Charlie, and Rhonda, find them. Reunited with his father and the rest of the herd led by Charlie, the group extol the virtues of working together, and finding bravery through companionship.