Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cat follows girl to school, causing mayhem, in gentle tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Conni and the Cat
What's the Story?
Like an episode of Scooby-Doo! Where Are You?, CONNI AND THE CAT features a smarter-than-average house pet. This one is a cat named Mau, who stows away on the bus that's taking his beloved kindergartner Conni (Mia Ciscon) on a school trip to a supposedly haunted castle. Soon Mau is knocking over milk pitchers; letting Oscar, a pet raccoon, out of its pen; and eating all the cake. There's talk of a ghost, and running into him is the big fear, but he never shows up. Added to those problems, someone or something is stealing jewelry and other shiny objects, a "crime" being blamed on the raccoon. Since Mau is a stowaway, Conni is afraid to tell Mrs. Weingartner (Amy De Bruhn), the teacher in charge, that her cat is causing some of the troubles being blamed on the raccoon. Luca (Seafra O'Rourke), Mrs. Weingartner's young son, fears his mother, who already has it in for the raccoon, will call the petting zoo to take his beloved pet away. Even after Conni confesses that her cat is the culprit, Mrs. Weingartner, who is allergic to cats, can't seem to put two and two together. Sneezing her head off, she doesn't believe poor Conni, and punishes the girl for telling lies. Everything is sorted out in the end. The kids are vindicated, the mom apologizes, and the raccoon stays with Luca.
Is It Any Good?
Conni and the Cat may be most remarkable for suggesting that grown-ups are often wrong and that they mistakenly ignore kids who are trying to correct them. In all other respects, this movie is cute but not memorable. That doesn't mean that preschoolers won't enjoy it, because they will, especially animal lovers, but as far as substance is concerned, there isn't much here. Unlike Scooby-Doo! and other cartoons aimed at this age group, there's nothing especially clever or informative here. There are also no monsters. But there are no real jokes. "That's not a kitty, that's a CAT," says one child, a statement that inexplicably prompts loud guffaws from everyone within earshot. "Ha ha ha!"
An array of unmatched accents in this English edition adds some confusion. Some of the kids seem to be American, others distinctly Irish. Parents may want to be aware that experts don't recommend keeping raccoons as pets. (Domesticated ones are legal in only 16 states, and wild ones are not legal anywhere.)
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how much we love our pets. Why do you think people and pets become so close?
What are some reasons you think kids weren't allowed to bring pets on the school trip?
How did you feel when the teachers punished Conni for lying even though she was telling the truth? Why do you think people, even grown-ups, sometimes jump to the wrong conclusions?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : August 27, 2021
- Cast : Mia Ciscon , Amy De Bruhn , Seafra O'Rourke
- Directors : Ansgar Niebuhr , Victoriano Rubio
- Studio : Blue Fox Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Run time : 78 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : July 14, 2022
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