| 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. |
Parents need to know that in this movie, poachers kidnap baby animals and set fire to a rainforest. The film conveys pro-conservationist and anti-animal testing messages.
The cuddly creatures from the animated hit FernGully: The Last Rainforest return for more environmental swashbuckling in this direct-to-video sequel. In FERNGULLY 2, two poachers set fire to the rainforest and capture three baby animals who are under the care of a fairy named Crysta. Crysta's boyfriend, Pips, goes into town to rescue the babies, accompanied by a bat named Batty Koda and a group of insects called The Beetle Boys.
This sequel was produced on a more modest scale than the original and lacks Robin Williams's and Tim Curry's verbal antics. Without Williams's wit and a villain whom kids love to hate, the sequel will seem bland to sophisticated older kids. However, younger kids should enjoy watching the cute rainforest dwellers thwart some greedy poachers. FernGully: The Last Rainforest offered top-notch animation and a celebrity voice-cast that included Robin Williams. This sequel is a pleasant if uninspired follow-up to that critical and commercial success. It contains some visual treats, even though the animation is comparatively simple.
Fortunately, younger kids will probably not notice the shortcomings of the cast. Instead, they'll delight in the heroic adventures of the rainforest creatures, including iguanas, kangaroos, and wombats. The movie places these animals in lush rainforest backgrounds with bright, eye-catching colors. The artwork conveys a deep appreciation of nature.
Families can talk about sequels. Were you inspired to watch this sequel because you enjoyed the first movie so much? Did it live up to your expectations? Why do sequels, especially cartoon sequels, so often disappoint?
| Topics: | magic and fantasy, adventures, wild animals |
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Directors: | Dave Marshall, Phil Alden Robinson |
| Cast: | Erik Bergmann, Holly Conner, Laura Erlich |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 75 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 17, 1998 |
| DVD release date: | March 17, 1998 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
| MPAA explanation: | General Audiences |