 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Aussie and Ted's Great Adventure
- Review Date: October 31, 2009
- G
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
Sweet, cliched animal-toy tale with a consequences lesson.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this gentle though bland family film aims to tug at the heartstrings with its tale of a dog trying to undo a bad decision. There's no swearing or violence, and the movie includes lessons on consequences. Younger kids might find the idea of a stuffed animal that communicates troubling (even more so than a talking dog). Also, a child is distraught when she loses a much-loved toy, and one character dies, but quietly.
What's the story?
Aussie the dog is young Laney's (Alyssa Shafer) favorite companion. But when a magical box arrives, nestling a very special teddy bear, the jealous dog begins to act out. Eventually, Aussie opts for a drastic measure, one that sends him on a journey to make up for a bad decision.
Is it any good?
AUSSIE AND TED'S GREAT ADVENTURE's life lessons are wonderful, but the script's treacley treatment and unimaginative dialogue -- overly explanatory and clichéd -- won't work well for sophisticated older children. Shrill acting doesn't help, either (Kirstin Eggers, we're looking at you). Even Dean Cain and Beverly d'Angelo don't quite rise above the mess. That said, you can't fault a film too much that will likely have younger kids thinking about consequences, making good choices, and righting your wrongs. There are, however, plenty of other films that impart such messages with more flair.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why Aussie does what he does. Is it excusable? How does Aussie make it right?
Discuss what it‘s like to be faced with a choice between right and wrong, and how one makes the decision.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
August 12, 2011
AGE
Cheap, stupid, TOO educational, and a VEEEEERYYYYY childish story.
If I were looking for a story that will educate little kids to do whats right, this is the movie you're looking for, but otherwise, don't even remember that you found out the existance of this movie. It's so cheap, they couldn't even animate the animals' mouths moving. The best animation in this is when Aussie imagines an angel dog and a devil dog when he tries to figure out something. Don't bother unless you want to teach kids or torture older ones.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Screen Media Films |
| Director: | Shuki Levy |
| Cast: | Beverly D'Angelo, Dean Cain |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 89 minutes |
| DVD release date: | October 6, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
