Common Sense Media Review
By Tom Cassidy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cartoon sequel doesn't land with strong violence, bad humor.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Boonie Bears: Back to Earth
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In BOONIE BEARS: BACK TO EARTH, Bramble (voiced by Joseph S. Lambert) gets to live out his superhero fantasy when Ari (Sara Secora), a cat-like visitor from space, grants him amazing new powers.
Is It Any Good?
This animated sequel, that's supposedly made for kids, is bleak, uneven, and unfunny. In a plot better suited to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Boonie Bears: Back to Earth thrusts bumbling bear Bramble and his brother Briar (Paul Rosenboom) into an epic battle of world-destroying wars and wailing grief. The movie's well animated but beside that, nothing works. The comedy is abysmal, from its tired man in drag joke to the abusive spousal relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Cruz. "Nobody hurts my darling, except me," Mrs. Cruz quips, after we've seen her pummeling her husband's face time and time again. The end gives a decent effort to explain a villain's actions as a response to trauma, but more misery isn't what a young audience need. They've already just watched Bramble crying over the death of his brother, calling himself stupid and blaming himself. Learning about another character's dead parents and difficult childhood isn't going to brighten the mood. To see The Boonie Bears at their best, check out the age-appropriate Fantastica: A Boonie Bears Adventure.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the amount of peril and action violence in Boonie Bears: Back to Earth. How did it compare to the other movies in the Boonie Bears series?
Lots of problems in the movie were caused by characters not speaking openly and honestly, so wrong conclusions were made. How could they have avoided this? Have you ever assumed something that didn't turn out to be true?
Did you spot the movie's eco message? Do you think movies can help change people's minds on big subjects?
What part did empathy and compassion play in the movie? Bramble had a choice about how to treat Mrs. Cruz during the final battle -- do you think he made the right decision?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 30, 2022
- On DVD or streaming : March 10, 2023
- Cast : Joseph Lambert , Sara Secora , Rik Sinkeldam
- Director : Huida Lin
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Fantawild Animation
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures
- Run time : 97 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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