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The Pebble and the Penguin

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Animated penguin tale heavy on romance, peril.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    A deep if lopsided friendship develops between two unlikely characters, causing one to risk his life for his friend's sake, even after he has been lied to. A developing romance is marked by loyalty and understanding in the face of teasing and threats from outside parties.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    The main character is threatened by a bully, a leopard seal, and a pod of killer whales in suspenseful animated scenes that, at least in the latter two cases, convincingly mimic real threats on a penguin's survival.

  • Sexy stuff:

    The entire plot is predicated on Hubie getting back to Marina for mating season, so although nothing graphic is shown the topic is ever-present.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Pebble and the Penguin

Parents need to know that the main character has a stutter for which he is teased by a bully, but it becomes less noticeable around his friends and girlfriend. The same bully is a menace throughout the film, most disturbingly as he kidnaps the object of his romantic affection. When persuasion has failed, a character holds his breath to get his way. Depictions of animals roughly handled on the way to zoo captivity may trouble young animal lovers. Also, scenes of pursuit by leopard seals and killer whales are intense, probably more so than children under age 7 will want to watch.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the birds aboard the bad ship Misery. Do you think animals are better or worse off in zoos than in the wild? Can you think of any arguments that people on the opposing side of the debate might have? The movie highlights lots of different types of penguins -- make a trip to the library to learn more about their habitats and habits.
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    dede6099876
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    I Loved this movie when I was little!!!!

    I can't believe it!!!! This is my favorite childhood movie!!!! I say that everyone should watch it!!!!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind (1)
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    ELTOMO21
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    don bluths best movie yet

    4 MILLION AT THE BOX OFFICE?this is way better than that

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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