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The Wild Thornberrys Movie (PG, 2002)

common sense media says

Wholesome but also has kid appeal.

parents & educators say
See all 6 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this 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.

Violence & scariness: Tense scenes and peril.
Sexy stuff: Potty humor.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on The Wild Thornberrys Movie

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why Eliza and Debbie feel so differently about the animals. They should also talk to children about why Eliza's decision to run away from school without telling her parents was wrong, no matter how worthwhile her reasons. They should discuss the way that Eliza keeps a very big secret from her family and how to know when you should not keep a secret from your parents. Some families will also want to discuss the religious figure who bestows "powers" on Eliza and how we can respect and find common ground with other religions but still remain true to our own faith.

What's the story?

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 is comprised 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?

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 projected onto a theater screen, but it never pretends to be anything more and is relatively pleasant for children and relatively painless for parents.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: Cathy Malkasian, Jeff McGrath
Cast: Jodi Carlisle, Lacey Chabert, Tom Kane
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 80 minutes
Theatrical release: December 20, 2002
DVD release: April 1, 2003
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: some adventure peril
This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

arthur16morgana
teen, 16 years old
7
 
i love the wild thornberrys. i use to always watch it on tv. love the movie too.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (4)
Pie Mama
parent of 9 , 14 , and 17 year old
6
 
I'm the first one to comment!
I'm the first one to comment soooooo comment. There.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (4)
TheFunkyMama
parent
6
 
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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awesome boy 2
kid, 11 years old
7
 
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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s0yka
kid, 12 years old
6
 
elephants getting killed that is too scary for little kids
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GreenMaple
teen, 16 years old
7
 
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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helped me decide (1) | had useful details (1) | read my mind (1)

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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