Tutenstein: Clash of the Pharaohs (Discovery Kids)

In TUTENSTEIN: CLASH OF THE PHARAOHS, the reincarnated mummy of a young pharaoh named Tut (voiced by Donna Cherry) travels back in time to learn the details of his own death 3,000 years ago. Since he's haunted by nightmares of the moments before he died, Tut and his friends Cleo (Leah Lynette) and Luxor (a talking cat voiced by David Lodge) use the mythical Mirror of Isis to return to ancient Egypt to stop his death and allow him to become the all-powerful pharaoh he believes he was destined to be. But when they arrive, they find it's actually 1,000 years after Tut's death, and Cleo is mistaken for the reigning Pharaoh Cleopatra. Spoiled by her subjects' royal treatment, she's blind to the fact that she's letting her power go to her head -- and that her closest advisor is after the powerful mirror and her throne. Ultimately it's the power of friendship that must save her and return the friends to the present.

There's no shortage of adventure for kids tagging along on Cleo and Tut's time travels, and overall the movie's content is worry-free for grade-schoolers. Parents may grow weary of Tut's arrogance and constant demands, but kids will like seeing him get a taste of his own medicine when Cleo is granted power and can boss him around for a change. In fact, the characters' relationship gives families a great opportunity to talk about interpersonal issues like respect and appreciation.

And on a more intellectual level, the characters' jaunt through time introduces kids to the basics of Egyptian history and mythology. Don't expect youngsters to start reiterating reliable historical facts, but the story includes references to social and cultural practices that will expand their view of history and other cultures.

TV Rating: TV-Y7
Network: Discovery Kids
Cast: David Lodge, Donna Cherry, Leah Lynette
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: Discovery Kids