Zoop in Africa (2005)

Directed by: Johan Nijenhuis, Dennis Bots | 85 minutes | adventure, family | Actors: Nicolette van Dam, Vivienne van den Assem, Patrick Martens, Monique van der Werff, Juliette van Ardenne, Jon Karthaus, Ewout Genemans, Sander Jan Klerk, Sabine Koning, Raymi Sambo, Sylvana Simons

This new film by Johan Nijenhuis, ‘Zoop in Afrika’, is based on the children’s soap ZOOP of the same name, which can be seen on Nickelodeon. (for children aged 8 to 16) Based is to say the least, because the film is almost incomprehensible without prior knowledge of the series. It remains unclear throughout the film what ‘rangers’ actually are and what they do. The mutual relationships are also a mystery at the beginning, so the viewer falls from one surprise to another when it turns out that there are all couples. Of course different types immediately stand out, a kind of punk girl, a nerd, a barbie, but their characters remain mainly superficial. You probably need to know the series for that.

At the beginning of ‘Zoop in Afrika’, the two leaders of the rangers, also present in the series, are on the scene. These are Sabine Koning (GTST) (Gaby) and Raymi Sambo (Berenger). The first is unconvincing and mumbles everything as if she is still playing in Good Times. A soap, of course, remains a soap, she must have thought. Raymi Sambo is a welcome change, because he can act. Unfortunately, there is not such a big role for him.

Another supporting role is for Sylvana Simons (Safira). Why exactly she and her organization are bad only becomes clear towards the end. Why on earth they participate in a rangers exchange project remains a mystery, because cooperation can also simply be refused. Simons adds little to the film, is convincing at times, and mainly raises the question: When are we going to look at houses?

A nice supporting role is played by an entire African tribe where the rangers pay an unexpected visit. But unfortunately they don’t stay long, because one of them is about to be married off.

Then the rangers themselves. Elise (Vivienne van den Assem) has quite a few problems, but exactly which one and how she got there is unknown. Vivienne, however, is one of the better actresses, so her role remains fun. Taffie the punk (Monique van der Werff) also has a large part in the film and that is positive. Bionda (Nicolette van Dam) is the barbie of the bunch, overdone, in appearance, but certainly in acting. Even Barbie wouldn’t risk her life and the lives of others for a bag of shoes if the plane threatens to go down. Furthermore, it remains incomprehensible why such a doll is actually with the rangers. The others, Mike (Patrick Martens), Sira (Juliette van Ardenne), Moest (Jon Karthaus), Bastiaan (Ewout Genemans) and Aaron (Sander-Jan Klerk) are nice, but don’t really stand out.

Although this film can sometimes be a bit childish for the elderly, children up to the age of 14 will be happy with this. Provided, of course, that they are familiar with the series. The title song is in the style of K3, so it will undoubtedly become big among children. Nevertheless, ‘ZOOP in Africa’ remains no more than a very long episode of ZOOP.