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A Tiger's Tail
By Renee Longstreet,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Predictable tiger cub tale has lots of stereotypes, bullies.
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What's the Story?
A perfect storm of negligence, bad timing, and lax security at Safari World sends a baby tiger into Billy Connley's backpack in A TIGER'S TAIL. On the way home from the animal sanctuary, Billy's parents ignore his warnings, so little Luna simply goes along for the ride. The cub ends up with Billy at home. It's a tough time for the Connley family -- his parents' jobs are shaky and they may lose their house -- so Billy doesn't have to work too hard to keep his new pet a secret. And the frisky little lass is a continued source of chaos, misbehavior, and cute antics. Meanwhile, the kindly owner of the Safari World is searching in vain for Luna and the cub's mother is inconsolable. When two neighborhood bullies, Billy's best friend, and the girl of his dreams get involved, events escalate. It's only a matter of time before all is revealed.
Is It Any Good?
This film is just barely watchable with its amateurish production, mostly substandard performances, and dependence upon characters' illogical behavior all around. The filmmakers tried for cute, cuddly, and comic, but achieved only minimal success. Some very predictable story elements -- the bullies, Billy's girl-crush, the fatty who is always ravenous, and parents who are oblivious, don't help matters. It's harmless at best. A lot of energy was expended (including that of the four-legged characters whom one hopes were well-treated) for very few laughs and even fewer heartfelt moments.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the treatment of animals in movies. Do you think it's important that the animals be well cared for and safe? Find out how the American Humane Association protects animals on a set.
The movie would have been over very quickly if Billy had done the right thing when he discovered Luna. If the tiger cub had crawled into your backpack, what would you have done? What would you expect of your parents?
Look up "stereotype." How was Koby a stereotype? Since there's so much important research about childhood obesity, do you think Koby's behavior was as funny as it was intended to be?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: May 13, 2014
- Cast: Greg Grunberg , Darlene Vogel , Will Spencer
- Director: Michael Sarna
- Studio: Wittgenstein Ventures
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Friendship , Wild Animals
- Run time: 77 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
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