Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Interactive adventure has positive lessons, intense peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Animals on the Loose: A You vs. Wild Movie
What's the Story?
In ANIMALS ON THE LOOSE: A YOU VS. WILD MOVIE, survivalist host Bear Grylls is sent on three missions at an animal sanctuary in South Africa. A power line is out, meaning the electrical fence keeping animals in (and predators and poachers out) isn't functioning. Restoring power to the downed lines is one mission; another is capturing a lion on the loose, and the third involves tracking down a lost baboon. Other missions arise along the way, such as when a researcher is threatened by the lion or when it becomes clear the wires were cut intentionally and poachers are after a herd of elephants. Every mission involves traversing dangerous terrain and confronting do-or-die situations, all of which the viewer helps Bear navigate by selecting options from a menu.
Is It Any Good?
Adventure-loving kids who can handle the intense peril will enjoy being part of the action in this movie. The concept of the interactive film only adds to the suspense of Bear Grylls' survivalist adventures. In Animals on the Loose: A You vs. Wild Movie, you get to help Bear choose which missions to complete in what order, how to confront challenges, what to eat, and more. The choices force you to think through a variety of seemingly valid options, and sometimes you go wrong. In a couple of cases, your choices put Bear in greater danger. The intensity of the risks is offset by occasional humor, like Bear stepping in enormous elephant "dung" or the looks on his face as he chews up a leech or a crunchy worm. There's no question he's a captivating, not to mention outrageously fearless, guide.
The film appears to last 45 minutes on Netflix, but if you go back and try out alternative options, you can go for at least an hour and a half. The menu allows you to return to previous choices, and sometimes it suggests you start over completely, but you can't move ahead. The film is built for short attention spans, with frequent selections and no shortage of nail-biting situations set to dramatic music. The setting is gorgeous, filmed from luxurious aerial views as well as up-and-close camera angles, putting you in the action but regularly reminding you of the larger context. All in all, it's an entirely fun and surprisingly enriching adventure.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Bear Grylls is in as much danger as he appears to be during Animals on the Loose: A You vs. Wild Movie. Where could you find out more information about this?
Bear finds trash on even the remotest beaches of South Africa. What does he encourage us to do to cut down on this pollution?
How do you think some of these scenes were filmed -- for example, when he's in the water or hanging over the canyon on the cable?
Bear demonstrates courage and perseverance. While these may be obvious strengths in the wild, why are they also important character strengths in everyday life?
Would you eat a leech or a worm? How about meat cut from a carcass found on the plains?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : February 16, 2021
- Cast : Bear Grylls
- Director : Ben Simms
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Adventures , STEM , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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