| 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 this movie has some tense and scary moments, though lots of humor takes the edge off. The movie promotes a strong environmental and conservation message, along with an anti-animal testing message, though kids might not catch all the lessons thanks to the distraction of the magical creatures and jolly songs.
In FERNGULLY: THE LAST RAINFOREST, an evil and destructive spirit named Hexxus (voice of Tim Curry) is imprisoned in a tree by Magi, the leader of the fairies, who believes that all humans have been destroyed. Many years later, as Magi is teaching Crysta, her apprentice (voice of Samantha Mathis), they find that the humans have returned, and are cutting down all the trees. Crysta shrinks one of the humans, a young man named Zak, to save him from being hit by a falling tree, and teaches him about the importance of preserving the forest.
Ferngully features an all-star cast and some top-notch animation. Highlights of the story include Robin Williams voicing the aptly named "Batty Koda" and gravel-voiced rapper Ton Loc as a Goanna lizard singing "If I'm Goanna Eat Somebody, It Might as Well Be You."
There are some very scary moments, and the magic characters may distract kids from the lesson about environmental conservation, but it does provide a good opportunity for discussions that may help increase sensitivity to environmental concerns.
Families can talk about the importance of conserving the Earth's natural resources, and research the role that trees, and other plants, play in the environment. How do you feel about movies that have a strong message? Does it distract from or enhance the entertainment value?
| Topics: | magic and fantasy, adventures, wild animals |
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Director: | Bill Kroyer |
| Cast: | Christian Slater, Robin Williams, Tim Curry |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 75 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 10, 1992 |
| DVD release date: | February 19, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | G |