 | 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. |
Thumbelina
- Review Date: May 21, 2009
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1994
Common Sense Media says
Magical, musical story is a classic fairy tale.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's story will delight fans of fairies and princesses, but also includes some tension and mild peril. There are themes of kidnapping and marriage to the wrong fellow for the wrong reasons, but the happily-ever-after is solidly in place.
What's the story?
Once upon a time there was a woman of a certain age who wanted to have a child very badly. She was given some barleycorn by a good witch to plant, and lo and behold, a tiny girl was found inside the blossom of the plant. This girl, Thumbelina, brought joy and song wherever she went. But she was lonely, and she thought she was the only tiny person in the world. That is, until Prince Cornelius hears her singing through the window of her home and changes her life forever.
Is it any good?
Though Thumbelina can be swayed to accept different paths rather easily, it's enjoyable to watch her will shine through. And life in the forest is lush and lively, and the dramatic action is fanciful, while hitting notes of struggle and triumph. Barry Manilow (yes, that Barry Manilow) has written a host of songs that Thumbelina (voiced by Jodi Benson) brings to life. Guest voice appearances by Charo, Kenneth Mars, and Carol Channing enrich the talented cast.
Though it's not Disney, this feature does give Disney a run for its money. Younger children will appreciate the little characters like the Jitterbugs, and older kids might like the comic Beetle and the teen romance aspect. Parents might even find themselves enjoying the music.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about fairy tales. Why do you like these types of stories? Is there such a thing as a fairy tale ending? What are some of your favorite fairy tales, and why?
What would this story look like if the boy and girl roles were reversed? Can you imagine a boy being kidnapped to be a husband and then being rescued by his true love, a princess?
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Adult
March 9, 2010
AGE
An average film
Which admittedly I did actually go out and buy...
Anyway, the story is good and this films is devoid of the annoying plot twists that are common in Don Bluth's other 90's films. The way the seasons shift over the course of a day is very interesting. The songs are also really good, including the ever-underappreciated "Merry the Mole", which is a villain song so kids aren't supposed to learn anything from it. What I don't like about this movie is that after the long 20-30 minute intro to the story, the rest just feels rushed. Plus, Thumbelina herself is one of the worst characters ever thought up by Bluth. I have no problem with love at first sight, even though that idea had been scrapped shortly after The Little Mermaid, but my god, Thumbelina is a ditz. In every scene, she's literally struggling to stand up! What's more is that she's a hypocrite. She can't make up her mind! Every time one of the random villains/good guys start singing about what they think she should be doing, she immediately changes her mind and agrees with everything they say... wow, what a maroon! Despite that, it's still a good film, just not one of Bluth's proudest.
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Teen, 15 years old
June 10, 2009
AGE
It is completely fine for all ages (though I'm sure only kids four and up will be really interested). However, I'm not sure if anyone older than, let's just say, nine will actually care. I rarely say this about children's movies, either.
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Kid, 12 years old
August 4, 2009
AGE
Very good on for everyone
I loved this movie when I as 3 and I still love it and I`m 12!
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Parent of 2, 3, and 8 year old
April 21, 2011
AGE
Food movie for kids. Buy it
Yes love it. Is there going to be a #2? We need another one.
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Teen, 13 years old
August 17, 2009
AGE
Love it!
One of my favorites! It might not be the best for children under 5 because they might not understand it.
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Parent of 2 and 4 year old
July 12, 2009
AGE
Nice movie for fairy lovers and young children
Lots of nice, Disney-like music written by Barry Manilow. Story follows the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale pretty closely.
The best thing about this movie is that my 4 year old (who is terrified by witches, ghosts or anything that could be remotely scary) can watch this by herself and enjoys the whole show.
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Parent
October 22, 2011
AGE
Parent of four-year-old
I have a 4-year-old, and we found this movie too dark! The storyline contains mostly stressful situations for the heroine (and comparitively few happy moments) once the action starts. The movie's ending is happy, of course, but JUST. Many references to death. Inappropriate words, such as "shut up". I found the mushy embraces and love between Thumbelina and the prince, as well as the theme of forced marriage to both the frog and the mole, not to mention the beetles' physical attraction to her (singing that he's "hot to trot"), to be inappropriate for my daughter.
Not subject matter I want her dreaming about tonight.
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Parent of 2 and 6 year old
October 3, 2009
AGE
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Kid, 11 years old
November 8, 2011
AGE
Ughh
Thumbelina is a complete ditz. She can't even stand up straight. I was also horrified when she is - I kid you not - ABDUCTED and forced to work at a STRIP CLUB. Don't waste your time with this horrific excuse for a kid's movie.
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Parent of an infant
February 16, 2013
AGE
Judge for yourself before you show it to your kids
I used to watch this as a kid, and loved it from a young age (3 or 4). When I was a bit older, my mom disclosed to me that she always hated letting me watch it because she always found it incredibly sexist. Thumbelina is constantly being coerced into things she doesn't want to do (usually in the form of arranged marriages), and is always in need of being rescued, be it from her Handsome Prince, or her friend the swallow. Not to mention, on more than one occasion, Thumb's skirt gets hiked up a little too high for my comfort level within a kid's movie.
However, there is something about this movie that keeps bringing me back to it. Even as an adult, I enjoy watching it. Maybe it's for the pure sake of kitch, maybe nostalgia, or maybe it's because deep down, it's really a quality, Don Bluth (AKA, the poor man's Walt Disney) feature shouldn't be dismissed just because of it's sometimes overwhelming sexism. I'll probably show it to my son someday. But I might hold out until after I've introduced him to Xena Warrior Princess...
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Directors: | Don Bluth, Gary Goldman |
| Cast: | Gary Imhoff, Gino Conforti, Jodi Benson |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 86 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 19, 1994 |
| DVD release date: | February 19, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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