See more movie reviews

Choose Your Own Adventure: The Abominable Snowman (G, 2006)

common sense media says

A smart interactive adventure for kids.

parents & educators say
Be the first to review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Benjamin, Crista, and Marco's parents have died and that they get into tough scrapes, depending on how kids choose for the story to go. They almost die when a bridge collapses; they get buried by an avalanche, and they must run to avoid shifting glaciers all around them. The action is exciting but not disturbing, and is handled in a way not to jangle small nerves too much. Along the way, the kids -- and the viewer -- get an opportunity to learn from mistakes and practice critical thinking skills. The message of fidelity, love, and respect for other cultures is woven throughout the DVD, but there is some blatant product promotion.

Positive messages: Kids learn critical thinking skills. Crista is a strong, adventurous female role model. The message of fidelity, love, and respect for other cultures is woven throughout the story.
Violence & scariness: Mild peril, but always cartoonish. The kids are threatened by tigers, nearly fall off a bridge, and are buried in an avalanche.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Packaging is marked by Life Cereal, and the cereal even comes with the kids on the adventure.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Choose Your Own Adventure: The Abominable Snowman

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how to make the decisions posed to them by this DVD: When should you talk to a stranger? Should you go with someone who claims to have been sent by your family? How do you protect loved ones? How does each child contribute his or her own unique skills to the adventure? The DVD may also spur an interest in Nepal and its culture. It's a great opportunity to borrow some books on the country from the library and explore its myths, climate, and history.

What's the story?

What's the story?
In CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN, animal-loving Crista (Lacey Chabert), brainiac adventurer Benjamin (Frankie Muniz), and fun-loving Marco (Daryl Sabara) are summoned to Nepal to help their Uncle Rudy (William H. Macy) track down the legend of the Yeti. When they head out to find their adventure, and so does the viewer. Using the DVD player remote, they choose what they want the kids to do at critical points in the story. Should they parachute out of a failing plane or hold on and hope it lands? Should they go with the man who says he was sent by Uncle Rudy to help them or stay with their sherpa guide? Should they stay the night at the wizened old yak herder's home or try their luck on the cold snow-blown slopes? What would you do? In the end, the DVD has its own moral: If Benjamin, Crista, and Marco stay on course and don't let themselves be distracted, they accomplish their goals and discover a secret about themselves and their parents. If they don't, they have perilous adventures but always end up safe.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Many parents will remember the Choose Your Own Adventure those jigsaw-puzzle stories that let you determine what to do next. Some found the books laborious and gimmicky, but that's not the case with the DVD version of this concept. The characters are engaging, the animation fluid, the kids are strong but smart, and the adventure is rousing without being too scary for kids. Choosing the characters' next move and getting the opportunity to try different approaches to the same situation helps kids learn critical thinking skills.

And parents can talk to kids about what's safe: When, if ever, should you go with someone you don't know but says he was sent by your parents? How do you take care of your siblings when you're in a difficult situation? It's a real shame that this well-done DVD is marred by shockingly blatant product placement. In one version of the story, Marco offers Life Cereal to an injured Yeti, and exclaims, "She likes it!" Not only is it egregious product placement, but it takes the viewer out of the moment and distracts from the fun and storyline.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Goldhil Home Media
Director: Bob Doucette
Cast: Felicity Huffman, Frankie Muniz, Lacey Chabert, William H. Macy
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 30 minutes
Theatrical release: January 9, 2006
DVD release: July 25, 2006
MPAA Rating: G
MPAA explanation: mild peril and adventure
This review was written by Heather Boerner
 
 

Review It

 

Review Choose Your Own Adventure: The Abominable Snowman

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

There aren’t any reviews yet. Ask your friends to review this title.

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you see Choose Your Own Adventure: The Abominable Snowman?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more movies
About our rating system
ON: Content is 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
Our child development rating guidelines