The opening scene is a bit startling: women washing clothes in the river with a lion lurking; consequences are deadly. This scene was more upsetting than the elephant stampede noted in the Commonsense review. Other issues: For a woman living in Africa close to nature, Joy's hair is always perfect and she is a woman of her time: persistent maybe, but not at all equal to the men. Men ultimately make all the decisions. Other items date the movie and one should be prepared to discuss for example, why the White Europeans live in modern houses, and are in positions of authority while the Black Africans are in the background-literally. The story moves along quickly-almost too choppy at times. Nevertheless, it is a movie with depth and one can focus children on the complex issues regarding the lions: safety of the zoo versus dangers in the wild with freedom.

I LOVE THE LIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! age 2 off. ages 3-4 iffy. ages 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10,11, 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, and 18 on.