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Parents' Guide to

Ape Star

By Andrea Beach, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 5+

Quirky animated adoption tale has positive role models.

Movie PG 2021 75 minutes
Ape Star Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This animated story from Sweden about an unusual adoption is gently paced, quiet, and quirky. There's not much content of concern in Ape Star, but a couple of subplots may make it harder for preschoolers to follow. The colors used are gorgeous, and the characters and background have a lot of charm. But some viewers may not be able to get past how it almost looks like Gorilla has four eyes, for example. Or the many times the dialog isn't in sync with mouth movements. This could be because it was originally recorded in Swedish, and if it was that might also explain why some of the dialog in English is awkward and stilted, too. Early-grade viewers may not be bothered by these flaws, and those who like gentle, warmhearted stories will enjoy it as they absorb messages about finding family and home.

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