Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Big Bird finds his true home in this warm tale.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that little ones might be confused about why the "Feathered Friends" take Big Bird away from his home on Sesame Street and place him in a home with another family. The social-worker-as-villain concept might seem a bit odd to anyone who has adopted a child, but Big Bird does end up in his rightful, colorful place: on Sesame Street.

  • Friends become family in this heartwarming film. The Sleaze Brothers are not such nice guys, locking Big Bird in a cage and making him sing for money!
  • Locking Big Bird in a cage is sad, but not violent, per se.
  • Not applicable.
  • The Sleaze Brothers yell at each other, saying "Shut up!" Sam Sleaze says "Check the gams on that butterball," when he sees Big Bird for the first time.
  • True Value hardware sign. The Sleaze Brothers are out to make money at all costs.

What's the story?

The Feathered Friends, a group of birds who advocate for their own kind, have discovered that a young bird named Big Bird is living without bird parents in a place called Sesame Street. They send a social worker named Miss Finch to "rescue him," and place him in a home with a bird family. Big Bird initially thinks this is a great idea, and he says goodbye to all of his dear friends, only to find that when he moves to Illinois, he is to be part of the Dodo family, who call him Big Dodo. He soon realizes how very unhappy he is with this new family and tries to find his way back to Sesame Street. He meets interesting people along the way and learns who his true family really is.


Is it any good?

 

True to the Jim Henson-era Sesame Street productions, this feature is filled with laughs and great cameos. Chevy Chase, John Candy, Dave Thomas, and Merle Haggard all bring their talents to the colorful cast. If only the social worker wasn't such a dodo herself, this feature would be close to perfect. But a happy ending to an epic journey is satisfying every time. Great choice for Sesame Street fans.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about what a family is. Does every family look the same? Can friends be family, too? Why is Big Bird tempted to live with the Dodo's? Is Miss Finch a bad person? Is she helping Big Bird, or harming him?


This review was written by Joly Herman
Adult
June 26, 2010
 

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Parent of 6 and 8 year old
April 27, 2010
 

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Parent of 3 and 3 year old
November 21, 2010
 

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Parent of 4 year old
July 16, 2010
 
Meaning of Family
<3 it! Not a huge fan of Big Bird being placed with a bird family instead of his Sesame Street family -- after all, you don't have to look like your family to be family, right? But the ending makes it all better :)

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Parent of 6 and 8 year old
January 28, 2010
 

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Parent of 6 year old
May 24, 2009
 
This was my favorite movie as a kid,,,watch it again, you'll be surprised at what was considered to be quality programing. my 4 year old doesn't care for this movie at all, she didn't think it was funny and there were a few scenes that freaked her out...I would maybe allow a ten year old or up to watch this.

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Educator
September 19, 2011
 
love it!
very nice movie one of my favorite child hood flims great for children Big Bird already has a family back home in Seasme Street thats the true meaning of a family wonderful splendid movie!

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Parent
April 22, 2010
 

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Parent of 4 and 4 year old
April 21, 2011
 

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Parent
July 9, 2011
 
Classic
Upifting songs, peaceful tone, my kids got into Big Bird from watching this movie, plus they love the music. Cool cameo by Waylon Jennings too.

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This review was written by Joly Herman
Topics:adventures, puppets
Studio:Warner Home Video
Director:Ken Kwapis
Cast:Carroll Spinney, Frank Oz, Jim Henson
Genre:Family and Kids
Run time:88 minutes
Theatrical release date:March 26, 1985
DVD release date:March 24, 2009
MPAA rating:G

This review was written by Joly Herman
 

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About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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