Keith Scholey

What’s more, the narrative and depiction of the African savannah seems deliberately structured to present youngsters with a live-action version of “The Lion King,” as if it were one long (89-minute) bonus feature showing the kind of real-life episodes that the popular animated film used for inspiration.

Even with the extra help the “true life adventure” gets in the story department (including from The Lion King producer Don Hahn, here an executive producer and narration editor), the wee ones at a recent screening were chatty and restless, signaling that African Cats will play best to middle schoolers and precocious elementary students.