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The Adventures of Milo and Otis

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 5; suggested age 5.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    A loveable pet tale.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 5 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    As Milo and Otis come to rely on each other, children will witness how friendships help us through rough situations. Births of kittens and puppies provide a realistic look at the natural world. Milo and Otis are sometimes scamps, but it's all in good fun and they get their comeuppance.

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    A few animal fights, but nothing extreme.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of The Adventures of Milo and Otis was written by Randy White

Parents need to know that this is a thrilling movie for young children, which parents will likewise enjoy. There are scary scenes parents should be prepared to deal with: Milo gets swept away in the river current and Otis fights a bear. Milo throws himself off a cliff and must spend the night alone and in the dark (young viewers may find this especially frightening). Births of kittens and puppies are shown in a realistic manner. Parents may want to watch with their children and be prepared for questions.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the friendship between Milo and Otis. How is it special? How did they prove their loyalty to one another? What lessons can we learn from them?
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More on The Adventures of Milo and Otis

What’s the Story?

Newborn Milo, a real scamp of a kitten, meets timid puppy Otis and it's the beginning of a hilarious friendship. Trouble finds them everywhere, even in the form of an irritated, nose-tweaking crab! But fun turns into peril when Milo gets swept downriver in a box. Otis follows, trying to rescue his frightened friend. From then on the two have numerous scary encounters -- most notably with a voracious bear who just won't give up -- but eventually Otis rescues his friend. Joyce, another cat, joins Milo and Otis as they try to return to the farm. Otis becomes jealous of the new cat's relationship with Milo and takes off on his own. In the midst of winter, Otis meets and falls for Sandra, another pug. Milo, Otis and their respective mates give birth to many little ones. Milo and Otis reconcile and in the spring, finally head for home.

Is It Any Good?

In terms of spunkiness, Milo is one of the most high-spirited rascals in children's cinema. Dudley Moore provides the voice of Milo, Otis, and the narrator: he's alternatively excited and droll, speaking for each animal character and providing amusing commentary. Like many adventure tales, THE ADVENTURES OF MILO AND OTIS is a coming-of-age story: they leave home for the first time, undergo tests of their courage and friendship, and return ready to accept responsibility.

The movie also addresses the cyclical nature of life, demonstrating that birth and death are part of the process. We see animals born and eaten; Milo catches a trout, the raccoon shows up and steals the trout, only to have a bear show up and claim it for himself. Thus, although the animals here have human voices, the movie acknowledges their place in the natural world. Above all, this is story of a friendship. Cat and dog are there for each other in the end. The movie places great value on overcoming differences, suggesting that if Milo and Otis can do it, so can people.

Movie Details

Studio: Columbia Tristar, Director: Masanori Hata
Run time: 76 minutes
Theatrical release: 4/5/1989, DVD release: 3/21/1995
MPAA Rating: G for all audiences

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 2.0

    Great for little kids

    This movie was defenetly not the best. It's silent for most of the time. I bet if I was near 4 or 3 I'd love it!

  2. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title off for age 7 and give it 1.0

    Not recommended

    While it is a cute tale, the cats used to play Milo clearly were put in harm's way for filming numerous times. Milo was filmed plummeting off a cliff and going over a waterfall in a box. These scenes were shot from far enough away that we can see that there are not crew members nearby to rescue the cat if need be. We rented this without realizing the controversy surrounding it.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 1.0

    the worst

    boring dum stupid worst film ever

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Good for everyone

    This automatically reminded me of that episode (in Hannah Montana) of when Hannah Montana meets the Jonas Brothers. I don't know why. I think I remember, but I can't place a name... And I liked the movie.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 3.0

    My review

    This movie was adorable with an capital A, there is no foul launguage from the narrator whos telling the story of the survival of Milo the cat, and a pug puppy named Otis. There are a few scenes with MIlo and Otis finding mates and having kids, but nothings graphic or shown its very clean.

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 3 and give it 3.0

    This is a very sweet movie but young kids will lose interest after a while

    Its really great in the beginning.

  7. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    One of our family's favorite movies!

    This is one of the best children's movies about animals there is. Even adults can enjoy it. There is one scene where a brown bear threatens the cat but the dog "fights" him off. The fighting is not much more than splashing but some children may find this a little scary. Other than that this is a great film.

  8. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    An absolutely amazing, wonderful movie!!! A bit gross in the birthing departments, but overall, very tender and loving!

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title off for age 0 and give it 0.0

    Caution--not as cute as first appears

    Please be cautious when showing this video. Although initially a seemingly cute story of animal friendship, in actuality 27 cats were reportedly killed in the making of this film--most of them drowned. There are no "special effects"--the animals are obviously in distress during the whole film and several were likely injured or killed according to the American Humane Society. This film was not made in the US and therefore not subject to the same safety rules we have here. Try Homeward Bound instead!

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