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Andrew Coffin (World) writes, "[Ballard's] African landscapes are luxurious and mesmerizing, and his action scenes spirited. More importantly, Mr. Ballard knows how to work with both children and animals, so that the former are stretched by their circumstances without growing too old in the process, and the latter become genuine friends without excessive anthropomorphization."

And Annabelle Robertson (Crosswalk) says, "Ballard shows great sensitivity and doesn't back away from tough issues, like the complex themes of home, loss and death.He coaxes excellent performances from [his] actors, and doesn't fall into the trap of anthropomorphizing the cheetah, as so many directors would.Any emotions he shows are real, and stem from the characters—not some projected sentiment we think the animal might be feeling."

And she concludes, "Overall, an outstanding film that not only deserves a place in every family library, but is also destined to become a classic."

Fans of Carroll Ballard's animal-themed family films (The Black Stallion, Fly Away Home) may want to see his newest film, Duma, about a cheetah that is raised by humans, and then is taken on a dangerous journey back into the wild after its human family has moved to Johannesburg. The film reunites Campbell Scott and Hope Davis (The Impostors, The Secret Lives of Dentists) as the parents of the boy who takes the cheetah home.

Jeremy Landes (Christian Spotlight) says the film "succeeds spectacularly in showing us Africa as most Westerners will never experience it … Duma is a great film that shows off the beautiful creation of an untame God."

Mainstream critics are, so far, unanimous in their praise.

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