We all know the story of Bambi…the sweet and adorable fawn who grows up in the forest “alone” after he loses his mother to hunters. Known as one of the saddest Disney animations, this has often been referenced as a teaching tool like Animal Farm: mankind’s power over land and all its surroundings. Thus is the introduction to Bambi: The Reckoning through a brief cartoon narrative indicating that people are considered the most dangerous threat to all wildlife residing in the deep woodlands of the earth.

How do the offspring cope with such a tremendous loss after being shielding from the heinous actions of the unknown? Through anger and revenge as this is the calling when the forest fights back.

Not long after we are initiated with the mention of a deer family who has lost its matriarch to neglectful humans, we witness a group of self-centered hillbilly hunters discussing their conquests as they explore the terrain for prey. Immediately I wondered (given their lack of regret or humility) if THEY will be perceived as the vicious culprits over a Cujo-riddled deer - imagine Bambi contracting a mutant strain of rabies. It’s wild!

Xana and her son, Benji, are ready to trek out to a family reunion in the wooded area where the now monstrous Bambi resides, ready to pounce. It’s safe to say that the minivan ride with a highly distracted driver will end in blood-soaked tragedy so of course…I was giddy with anticipation.

As the scramble of chaos commences, the gathered family members have just enough time for prologues before the unwanted visitor comes crashing through their secured homestead, attacking them at random. The ferocity is unimaginable, as we feel their fear throughout Bambi’s persistent rampage. During the escape, we encounter various obstacles separating the survivors in addition to newcomers from the favorable fairytale such as…Thumper! However, something is just not right with this once adorable critter and suddenly, I was thrown into a Monty Python scene of killer rabbit havoc. Unique, clever and made me chuckle, even though I’m sure that was unintentional.

Bambi’s appearance is startling to say the least. With a gigantic frame, antlers of tremendous strength and 2+ sets of the sharpest teeth I’ve ever seen, the instant fright is palpable. This is NOT the cute and cuddly doe I remember from my childhood. CGI or whatever new Frankenstein’ed technology used to invent this mammoth beast should be rewarded…he is nightmarishly nasty.

As we are caught between rooting for Xana, Benji and the others still roaming about, it’s not lost upon us that the sinister smirks on those earlier hunters are still lingering with a secret agenda throughout the mayhem, of which may even include a close relative. Are they in cahoots with the terrifying creature, or are we on the wrong side of evil?