 | 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. |
VeggieTales: The Penniless Princess
- Review Date: August 12, 2012
- NR
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2012
Common Sense Media says
Engaging, faith-based retelling of a classic princess tale.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that, as in the source material (A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett), the lovable young heroine of VeggieTales: The Penniless Princess suffers the loss of a devoted parent and a radical change from the life of luxury and comfort she's known. But what could have been a sad, disheartening story isn't; the good-natured little girl relies on her faith, and all turns out well. The story, which will appeal to little kids most of all but isn't without charm for older ones and their parents, has many sound, well-illustrated messages and is more closely tied to religious teachings than some other VeggieTales offerings.
What's the story?
When Sara Crewe's (voiced by Anna Grace Stewart) soldier father delivers her to a well-regarded boarding school in England -- both to keep her safe and to provide her with a good education -- the little girl is sad but looking forward to her new adventure. She's lived the life of a princess in Africa, and, given her father's wealth and love, her future is bright. Sara's smile, kindness, and interest in everyone from the lowly to the charmed serve her well. But it isn't too long before Captain Crewe is killed and his fortune lost. Miss Minchin (Marin Miller), the snooty and greedy headmistress who's always found Sara's spirit threatening, is now overjoyed to send the young girl to live in the attic and be a servant to the others. Sara must now call upon all the resources at hand -- new friends, neighbors, and, most of all, her faith in God -- to overcome the misfortune that has followed her to her new home.
Is it any good?
Once again the VeggieTales folks have updated a classic with bright characters, wit, delightful music, and the standard fidelity to positive values and religious fundamentals. Sara Crewe and the entourage she meets in England -- which include some hilarious Frenchmen and an endearing Cockney-voiced servant girl -- make the messages in VEGGIETALES: THE PENNILESS PRINCESS go down easily. Girls especially will warm to this little princess.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about what the other girls in Miss Minchin's school learned from Sara. Do you think kids learn about behavior (both good and bad) from watching movies or television?
VeggieTales: The Penniless Princess often talks about being a "servant on the outside" and a "princess on the inside." What qualities, other than royalty and wealth, make someone a "princess on the inside"?
Many children's movies deal with orphans or kids who've lost a parent. Why do you think writers use this device? How does it add to the stories they tell?
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Parent
September 3, 2012
AGE
Great movie!
Great little movie! My 3-year-old daughter would watch it all day if she could!
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| Topics: | princesses and fairies, friendship, great girl role models |
| Studio: | Big Idea |
| Director: | Brian K. Roberts |
| Cast: | Anna Grace Stewart, Mike Nawrocki, Phil Vischer |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 48 minutes |
| DVD release date: | August 13, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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