Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest
George finds mischief in mildly spooky Halloween tale.
Parents say
Based on 11 reviews
Kids say
Based on 9 reviews
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Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest is a typical franchise entry, fine for preschool kids. The film treats spooky Halloween images (for example, ghosts and spiders) with gentle humor and a very mild "boo" factor. George's friends recall the legend of a headless scarecrow (No Noggin), but even that legend is presented in a way that is not truly suspenseful or frightening. The episode blends several story elements (it's not as linear as most of George's adventures), but the adorable monkey and his world are intact as Halloween is explored and enjoyed by all.
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What's the Story?
It's autumn in CURIOUS GEORGE: A HALLOWEEN BOO FEST. Leaves are falling, and the holiday is almost here! George is excited, getting ready for the town Boo Festival, the costume contest, the haunted house, and all the fun. But when George hears the Legend of No Noggin, a headless scarecrow who traditionally arrives for Halloween to kick the hats from everyone's head, the little monkey is intrigued and a little bit scared -- and, as always, CURIOUS! Why doesn't No Noggin have a head? Why does he kick off hats? And why does he only do so at Halloween? George has to find out. At the same time, he desperately wants to come up with a spectacular costume, one that could win the grand prize -- an amazing leaf vacuum George would love to give to The Man with the Yellow Hat. As the holiday gets closer, things get spooky, and George ends up in the middle of a very mysterious adventure.
Is It Any Good?
Gently illustrated and well-produced as always, this episode finds the inquisitive monkey in a mildly spooky Halloween adventure. Though there are lots of cute moments and a funny legend with surprising origins, it's the telling of the tale that falls short. The writing is not as linear and clear as most Curious George stories, and the songs are uniform and generic. Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest feels long and, at times, meandering. Still, George is lovable, and Halloween is a favorite time of year -- that may be enough for most preschoolers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about different kinds of traditional tales, like the ones George hears in Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest. How is a legend different from a fairy tale? A fable? A myth?
Why is it fun to dress up in a costume? How does it change you? How does it feel when you're YOU again?
Besides eating candy, what are your favorite Halloween activities? Pick an activity and find out how it came to be a Halloween tradition.
How do the characters in Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest demonstrate curiosity? Why is that an important character strength?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: October 1, 2013
- Cast: Frank Welker, Jeff Bennett, Rino Romano
- Directors: Andrei Svislotski, Scott Heming
- Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Book Characters, Holidays
- Character Strengths: Curiosity
- Run time: 57 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: October 8, 2022
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