 | 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. |
The Wild Thornberrys Movie
- Review Date: May 19, 2003
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2002
Common Sense Media says
Exciting adventure in Africa for animal-loving TV family.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this full-length, animated theatrical movie (based on the Nickelodeon TV series) with its humor, strong messages, suspense, and inspiring facts about nature and animals will appeal to both kids and parents. The filmmakers show great respect for creatures in the wild, different cultures and people, the study of science, and a close-knit family made up of distinctive individuals. Set in Africa, the movie has some suspenseful scenes that may be scary for the very youngest or most sensitive kids. Family members and/or animals are in danger in a number of action sequences: a stampede, confrontations with gun-toting poachers, falls from great heights, rushing waters carrying kids over steep waterfalls, and more. There are no serious consequences, and everything is resolved humanely.
What's the story?
In this feature-length adventure, the Wild Thornberrys of the TV series set off to Africa to film a nature documentary. The family consists of relentlessly cheerful father Nigel (voice of Tim Curry), efficient but affectionate mom Marianne (voice of Jodi Carlisle), and their daughter, Eliza (voice of Lacy Chabert), a kind of Dr. Dolittle in braids and braces who understands and communicates in animal language. Also along are typical teen sister Debbie, pet chimpanzee Darwin (voice of Tom Kane), who is Eliza's best friend, and adopted toddler Donnie (voice of rock star Flea). In Africa, Eliza is playing with some cheetah cubs when one is snatched via helicopter by a poacher. Eliza risks her life to save the cub, but is knocked to the ground when the poacher cuts the rope ladder. Her parents, worried for her safety, send her to England to boarding school and Darwin goes with her by hiding in her suitcase. But she and Darwin return to Africa when she learns that the poachers are after a herd of elephants. It's up to Eliza to save the day, and it will require great courage and the willingness to sacrifice anything, even her ability to talk to animals.
Is it any good?
THE WILD THORNBERRYS MOVIE is wholesome enough to appeal to parents and funny enough to appeal to kids. The series is affiliated with the conservation group the National Wildlife Federation and so occasionally there are nuggets of nature facts thrown in to add a little substance. Eliza is in the grand tradition of adventuresome pre-adolescent fictional heroines like Alice, Pippi, Dorothy, and Pollyanna. She is brave, smart, loyal, and empathetic. She has good judgment most of the time, but when she doesn't, she learns from her mistakes.
The voice talent is first-rate, including Rupert Everett, Lynn Redgrave, Marisa Tomei, and Alfre Woodward. The action sequences are handled well and there are some witty moments, as when Debbie tries to explain to her father that she is trying to be sarcastic. It is nothing more than a supersized version of the television series, but it never pretends to be anything more and is fun for kids and parents alike.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how the movie compares with the TV series. Is it as good or better in full-lenth film form?
Why do Eliza and Debbie feel so differently about the animals?
Families may want to discuss the issue of poachers going after wildlife. Kids: Do you see why Eliza would risk her life to save a cheetah cub?
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AGE
I'm the first one to comment!
I'm the first one to comment soooooo comment. There.
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AGE
Conservative parent review with DVD minutes to skip for younger children!
First off, I am a very conservative mom when it comes to what my children may view or hear. We have no TV at all, and I block all ads on my computer. My children only see what my husband & I approve and screen prior to their viewing.
This is a fun movie, loads of educational topics about how to take care of animals and the Earth. I enjoyed watching it. There is a scene where a rhino is shot (you only see the aftereffect, no gun or gunshot, just a rhino appears that has been shot), I let my children (3 1/2 and 5 1/2 see this because medical help arrives and immediately it becomes clear that the rhino is being taken care of and will live).
Here are the DVD minutes that I did not allow my children to watch: 55-103, 106-107, 108-112.
These are the violent scenes (explosives going off, poacher dropping Eliza into a waterfall etc) that other reviewers have mentioned.
My kids really enjoyed watching this movie, albeit edited for their age group. My husband & I watched it with them. I didn't feel too much of a need to address the religious significance of a shaman, as kids this age are all about magic and the wonderful magic world we live in. The shaman did not even make an impact on them. They just thought it was so cool that Eliza could talk to animals!
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AGE
i love the wild thornberrys. i use to always watch it on tv. love the movie too.
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Kid, 12 years old
January 30, 2011
AGE
a family movie is animated like the rugrats but for 7+
this movie is from the studio that braght us the rugrats collection it is rated PG for intense sequences of action but rugrats go wild is related to this movie.
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AGE
elephants getting killed that is too scary for little kids
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AGE
Love it!
Some scenes are frightening especially for kids, but that's about the only problem. As a huge animal lover this movie is one of my favorites. I recommend it to any other animal lovers out there who also enjoy a fantasy twist!
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| Topics: | adventures, wild animals |
| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Directors: | Cathy Malkasian, Jeff McGrath |
| Cast: | Jodi Carlisle, Lacey Chabert, Tom Kane |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 80 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 20, 2002 |
| DVD release date: | April 1, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some adventure peril |
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