| 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 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.
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.
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.
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?
| 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 |