Tools for this page
Print

Meerkat Manor: The Story Begins

(2008, Rated NR, Drama, Starring Whoopi Goldberg, Flower the Meerkat, Judy Morris)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Prequel is a gem, but more intense than series.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The movie offers an excellent opportunity for families to learn about the ups and downs of life in the wild.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Three prominent characters are killed during the movie, and the footage is both graphic and emotional. One meerkat is hit by a truck, a second is fatally wounded by a hawk (the injury isn't shown, but the death is), and a baby perishes from a snake bite after a drawn-out scene showing her struggling to breathe and crying for help. Meerkats also wage fairly violent battles against a rival gang.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Two scenes show meerkats mating (which looks more like cuddling than anything suggestive), and the narrator mentions adults' desires to find partners and start a family.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

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

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Meerkat Manor: The Story Begins

Parents need to know that this documentary prequel to the popular series Meerkat Manor isn't for the faint of heart, as it features upsetting scenes of meerkats being hunted and killed by predators and, in one case, being run over by a truck. In one emotional sequence, a baby meerkat is bitten by a cobra and suffers a sad, slow, labored death. Despite the voice-over narration, kids may be confused by the animal family's infighting. They may also have questions about the mating scenes (though they look more like cuddling than anything else) and resulting litters of pups. Overall, it's pretty intense for very young viewers, but for grade-school kids, it's a great introduction to the realities of life in the wild -- though you'll want to be ready to field queries about nature's "survival of the fittest."

Read our full review by Emily Ashby

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the way things work in the wild. What daily struggles do the meerkats face? How do they work together to ensure the family's survival? How do their individual roles reflect their personal strengths? How does the movie make them seem more like real "characters" than a group of animals? Does that make what happens to them affect you more? Families can also discuss leadership. Why is it important to have leadership within a group? What happens when leadership dissolves? What qualities define a good leader?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Meerkat Manor: The Story Begins?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in New Hampshire
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Wonderful movie, a great tribute to Flower

    This movie was truly a gem. Like the series, this movie was heart-warming and family-friendly. :) Deaths aren't shown, but injuries sometimes are. Meerkat mating is shown, but as stated, it looks more like cuddling than mating. My take on this movie: 10 stars. Aww, I can only give it five? I'll just give it 5 stars times 2. :)

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    This is Amazing!

    Its a really good show that shows how animals work together, fight, and become friends in thw wild. Its all true, and a show about nature. I do not have any concerns about younger kids watching it, because my 5 year old friend loves it!

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    it was a good movie

    All kids can wach Meerkat Manor it is a show about an animals life kids should now about how animals live

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Age-apropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

  • Advice for Parents

    Are Your Kids Obsessed with Twilight & New Moon?

    Are Your Kids Obsessed with Twilight & New Moon?

    Discussion pointers for parents of "twilighters."

  • Must See TV

    Glee

    Glee

    Edgy-but-quirky comedy's music, message will win teens over.

  • Pick of the Week

    Bestselling Books

    Bestselling Books

    Popular new reads kids are buying today.

  • Game of the Week

    LEGO Rock Band

    LEGO Rock Band

    Simplified, no-fail Rock Band with a whimsical story.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name