 | 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. |
Summer of the Monkeys
- Review Date: March 7, 2005
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1998
Common Sense Media says
A heartwarming chimp tale.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that although heavy-handed and predictable at times, this tale of a country boy who discovers four runaway circus monkeys offers some tender moments and a few pleasant surprises. Adapted from the novel by Wilson Rawls. The promising story is treated with excessive earnestness, however, and only the music, which is downright goofy at times, shows any sense of humor. The movie's biggest disappointment is the monkeys themselves. For circus performers, they're just not very entertaining. Younger children might prefer something with more laughs. Older kids and preteens will get swept up by the chimp-laden drama. Teenaged rebels may find themselves identifying with the main character.
What's the story?
In SUMMER OF THE MONKEYS, Jay Berry Lee is dead-set on getting himself a pony until he stumbles on the hiding place of four trained chimpanzees who have fled their derailed circus train. When a reward is posted for the monkeys' safe return, Jay tries to capture them before the local bullies beat him to it. Aside from the monkeys' pronounced lack of cooperation, the biggest obstacles in Jay Berry's way are a stern mother, an ailing little sister who refuses to take him seriously, and Bayliss Hatcher, a rifle-toting old drunk who won't stand to have meddling boys on his property. Each of these obstacles winds up teaching the restless boy a thing or two about loyalty, responsibility, and courage.
Is it any good?
This movie has its share of monkeys, but we're also forced to deal with the belligerent and unlikable main character, Jay Berry, his limping sister and rigid mother. The script fails to flesh out these characters and leaves us wondering what made them the way they are. Lending a degree of dignity to the proceedings are Michael Ontkean as Jay Berry's subdued and kindhearted father, and Wilford Brimley as Grandpa Sam, the crusty old voice of reason.
But a few good actors can't overcome the movie's biggest disappointment -- the monkeys themselves. For circus performers, they're just not very entertaining. Mostly they sit around, occasionally throwing in a tired back flip or two.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the lessons that Jay Berry learned through the course of the movie.
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Teen, 14 years old
December 9, 2010
AGE
That i love the and other thing are awesome about the book.
What other families should know:
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Kid, 11 years old
May 3, 2010
AGE
AWSOMENESS BOOK EVER MADE
I LOVED IT I WILL TRESURE IT FOREVER AND NEVER EVER LET IT GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YAY SUMMER OF THE MONKEYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BY WILSON RAWLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WOOO HOOOO!!! WILSON RAWLS BOOKS ROX!!!! OH YA BABY BIG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YAY IT IS SO AWSOMENESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OK DONE FEW!
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| Topics: | wild animals |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Director: | Michael Anderson |
| Cast: | Corey Sevier, Leslie Hope, Michael Ontkean |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 101 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 1, 1998 |
| DVD release date: | January 14, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
| MPAA explanation: | all audiences |
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