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Elephant Tales (G, 2008)

common sense media says

Brothers lose mom to poachers in weak live-action tale.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that in this live-action animal adventure Tutu and Zef lose their mother to poachers. The event is described by Zef to his brother Tutu as a rainbow taking their mom to the sky -- a metaphor that may confuse young kids.

Positive messages: Even though Tutu is voiced by a female (Emily Hunt), it's supposed to be a boy. Males dominate the story and are the only ones to make decisions. But the friends do work together to free Zef and find the end of the rainbow.
Violence & scariness: Guns are fired in the distance, and animals are killed -- though it's not shown. An elephant mom is taken by poachers (heard, not seen), and mentions of other animals' mothers taken by poachers as well. Young animals get lost.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Elephant Tales

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about being lost and losing family. Being lost can be very scary -- but is it an adventure? Why do you think Zef doesn't tell Tutu what really happened to their mother? Should he have told him the truth?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Tutu (voiced by Emily Hunt) and Zef (Jono Wood) are elephant brothers who frolic in the wild of the African savannah. Then one night, Tutu watches a truck approach, sees explosions, and hears a thunderous noise -- poachers. The next day Zef tells Tutu that his mom was taken by a rainbow and they have to leave the pack. Tutu decides he must try to find the rainbow, the brothers have an argument, and split up. Meeting new friends that have also lost their mothers, the animals devise a plan to get even with the poachers.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Though the idea of watching real animals in their natural habitat is appealing to the youngest viewers, the theme of loss is glossed over and tossed about in a confusing way. Zef lies to his brother about their mother's death and the two elephants sometimes seem to forget their mother when they go on adventures (and we all know that elephants never forget!).

The voice acting is pretty substandard and the script itself lacks cohesiveness and substance. Calling poachers "badness," is one example of a weak choice. Calling their camp "the badness place," a fence "stupid old badness thing" is just silly. ELEPHANT TALES would have made a good documentary had a narrator simply recounted the daily lives of these fascinating creatures. Instead the viewer is distracted by a lame story told by weak voice actors.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: MGM/UA
Director: Mario Andreacchio
Cast: Emily Hunt, Jono Wood, Patrick Floershein
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 96 minutes
Theatrical release: December 9, 2008
DVD release: December 9, 2008
MPAA Rating: G
This review was written by Joly Herman
 
 

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