 | 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. |
Donkey X
- Review Date: August 27, 2009
- PG
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
Those unfamiliar with Don Quixote might get lost.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that viewers who are unfamiliar with the Don Quixote story may find themselves lost or baffled by the plot at first. Though Don Quixote makes a noble, if loony, effort to be a valiant knight, many characters he meets are sinister and scheming. Moreover, most of the females are portrayed as buxom hags who nag. Lots of swords clashing and teeth gnashing, but nothing scary or gory.
What's the story?
In the town of La Mancha lives a crazy loon named Don Quixote (voiced by Steve Salazar). He is at odds with his friend Sancho (James Phillips) after having had many adventures together. Sancho's donkey, Rucio (Joe Lewis), wants to get the adventures going again so that he can prove that he is no mere beast of burden. With the urging of a jealous bad guy, the two old friends decide to get back on their horses (or donkey, in the case of Sancho's beast Rucio) and chase the dream of finding Don Quixote's true love, Dulcinea. With the help of Rucio, Don Quixote finds himself fighting for the lady's honor. But whether or not he finds her is for the viewer to discover.
Is it any good?
This is a noble effort to revive the legendary story of Don Quixote. However, the target viewers may find this tale too complicated to follow. The movie follows the format of the book, with chapter titles announcing parts of the journey. Yet the concepts of courtly love, justice versus law, and showing the world "how to live an exceptional life" are topics rather above the heads of most kids under ten.
However, this is an excellent example of CGI animation, with sensuous night skies and fine facial expressions illustrating the character's emotions. Fans of Cervantes can enjoy following the antics of the misfit Quixote and his loyal pal, Sancho. Moreover, the animal's-eye-view of the misadventure allows for some cartoonish fun. Plus, there's a happy ending that feels right, even if it is a tiny bit lost in translation. Rucio's final statement about living with Don Quixote: "I don't get paid much, but he does understand me."
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the book on which this movie is based. Who was Don Quixote supposed to be a caricature of? Have we lost touch with the knightly precepts in this day and age? What does the word honor mean to you?
The women in this movie are portrayed as nagging or demanding. Why do you think that is?
Families may be inspired to read the book together after viewing the movie.
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AGE
Fair movie
I know another reviewer said the horses head was shaped like a penis, but i didn't notice at all. I did notice a couple damns. some of the cleavage was way heavy, but very breif. before you say this is a evil movie, it might help if you knew this is a english movie, it doesnt make it any better, but this was a good movie. and is bieng bashed a lil much.
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AGE
Do do children need to see massive cleavage and even a woman grab and squeeze her own jiggling breasts?!? Must the horses head be shaped like a penis. Think that's unintentional? Wrong! Don't let you little ones watch this garbage. Fyi, I'm a dad.
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AGE
inapropreate
i rented this for my daughter. while watching it with her, i had a really hard time enjoying it as much as the little one was. between the crappy animation and plot layout, it was just boring and really horribly made. but i decided to sit through it with my 6 year old. and about half way through, there was a clip that lasted all but 3 seconds or so that had me baffled as to if it was truly a kids movie! a male character glanced over to the woman showing half her breast, then the camera zoomed to a close up of her chest! and that's not all.. the camera then went to the man's face and he was smirking while lifting an eyebrow at the camera.. "as to say look at those" "yow-za!"
in my (male 27 years old) opinion, this is totally inappropriate for a child.. even an 8 year old, in which this "film" (i use that term lightly) was intended.. i believe that this is what is wrong with America today.. we desensitize our children, by saying "oh, its just a cartoon" or "how much harm can it really cause?" then we wonder why kids are getting pregnant at 14 years old, or why all little girls "to be cool" have to ware short shorts/skirts and or makeup! call me old fashioned.. PLEASE DO! old fashioned people have morals and values that today's majority does not.. if you have something to say,
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| Topics: | adventures, book characters |
| Studio: | Peace Arch Films |
| Director: | Jose Pozo |
| Cast: | James Phillips, Joe Lewis, Steve Salazar |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 127 minutes |
| DVD release date: | August 11, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
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