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Adventures in Zambezia
By Renee Longstreet,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Colorful, comic bird tale with lots of cartoon action.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Community Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Nice and clean family fun movie
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Will be watching this again. :)
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What's the Story?
Though little Kai (voiced by Jeremy Suarez) has a dad, Tendai (Samuel T. Jackson), who wants to keep him close by and safe from harm, the young African peregrine falcon desperately wants to explore and experience the world. So in ADVENTURES IN ZAMBEZIA, Kai takes off on his own, headed for the island of Zambezia where all species of native birds live in a bright-colored paradise.
When he meets the lovely young kite Zoe (Abigail Breslin), her dad, the island leader Sekhuru (Leonard Nimoy), and the comical stork Go-Go (Jeff Goldblum), Kai is astonished to learn that he was born on Zambezia, and that his mother died there while saving Kai's life. Soon the little falcon joins The Hurricanes, the island's elite warrior squadron, when both Zambezia, and his father are threatened by Budzo, an evil monitor lizard and his band of outrageous marabou.
Is It Any Good?
Though the story isn't terribly original, the storytelling is. Kids will like Kai; they'll root for Zoe, Sekhuru and company; and they'll be moved when Kai and his dad are re-united. Characters are well-defined (even the villains have distinctive personalities), the music and sounds of Africa add charm and a degree of authenticity, and there's enough action to keep adventure-lovers happy.
Going straight to DVD in the US, even with A-list actors, engaging characters, and colorful, upbeat animation, this movie may be overlooked by home viewing families. That would be a shame, because it's a funny movie, with good messages and enthusiastic performances.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can discuss differences between being protected and safe and being over-sheltered and isolated. When it comes to safety can families agree about what is enough and what is too much? Take a look at the issue from the both the parent's and kid's point-of-view.
What were some characteristics of the movie that told you it took place in Africa? Talk about the music, the birds, and the settings. Create your own vision of Africa in a drawing; what other native animals might you include?
Who were the "outsiders" in this movie? What did the outsiders learn about belonging to a community?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: August 6, 2013
- Cast: Abigail Breslin , Jeremy Suarez , Samuel L. Jackson
- Director: Wayne Thornley
- Inclusion Information: Black actors
- Studio: Triggerfish
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Adventures , Science and Nature , Wild Animals
- Run time: 82 minutes
- MPAA rating: G
- Last updated: June 14, 2023
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