Even Mice Belong in Heaven

Movie review by John Sooja, Common Sense Media
Even Mice Belong in Heaven Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 8+

Some violence in cute tale of friendship and bravery.

NR 2021 87 minutes
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Parents say

age 8+

Based on 2 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

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What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Even Mice Belong in Heaven is a Czech Republic based stop-motion animated family movie about friendship and being brave. All the characters are animals, and some are a bit magical. Almost entirely set in heaven, characters do discuss being dead, how they died (run over by a car), and other ways of dying. A fair amount of violence that could scare younger viewers includes: scenes of peril and danger, characters showing fear, chase scenes (mice running away from predators), large animals with large faces, characters talking about being dead and being sad about it, a car running over a mouse and a fox, killing them (not shown), characters talking about drowning, a scary dark forest in which some animals get "lost forever," a fox going "crazy" (different voice) and trying to kill and eat his mouse friend, hunters shooting at foxes, aggressive father figures that yell angrily, characters sailing into a giant whale's mouth, a fight scene between two foxes (biting, scratching, wrestling), characters falling off a cliff, and a scary roller coaster "haunted ride" that features pop outs and jump scares (bats, skull and bones, poachers with guns, a "native" with an axe, scary monster faces). Language includes: "hell," "stinker," "weakling," "loser," "nitwit," "killer," "murderer," "mouse muncher," "bite my head off," "rip her to shreds," and "pooped herself out of fear." One friendly kiss on the cheek. Even though heaven is a central concept, Christianity isn't mentioned, and in the end, all the animals get reincarnated into different (if they choose) animals.

Community Reviews

jlx
jlx Adult
January 16, 2022
age 10+

Boring

This movie is boring

This title has:

Too much violence
Amanda K.
Amanda K. Adult
January 12, 2022
age 6+

It's not "violent" as the other reviewer suggests

Hello, although the other reviewer left a wonderful review and I agree with some of it, and I understand that they are trying to be as specific as possible on parent's behalf. I do think they make the movie seem like the Chainsaw Massacre. The word "violent" does not equate with this film. Almost EVERY Pixar and Disney film deals with death and always has "scary" parts in it. You do not see the animals run over by a car, just like you do not see Bambi being shot. Things are insinuated. Saying the fox is going "crazy" is inaccurate and insulting to the mental health community. Using a word like "crazy" to represent mental torment is what leads to teen suicides because kids don't want to be called "crazy" when they need to open up about their feelings. So they keep it inside. The fox is battling with his own insecurities and fears, he lost his parents when he was young (cue EVERY Disney and Pixar movie plot), and was brought up by a mean uncle who didnt treat him well (again, cue almost every Pixar and Disney plot). The fox is very kind the whole way through until he is tested as to why he doesn't stick up for himself and why he is so insecure and afraid. This is a stunning film, with incredible details, a sweet and simple script that teaches kids about bullying, standing up for yourself, being brave, to be grateful for what you have, that nature works as a circle and one feeds off the next, (cue Lion King), about friendship and not judging someone by their appearance, to be clean and tell the truth , to follow rules. This is no scarier then any Disney or Pixar, I'm a parent and my 7 year old loved it and was way more scared of Snow White, Bambi, The Lion King than this sweet beautiful movie. So I'm sticking up for the film a but because this film is not violent. Especially in a world where there are more school shootings than there ever should be, we can't pretend that there isn't death in the world and that animals don't eat each other. Thanks

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In EVEN MICE BELONG IN HEAVEN, Whizzy (Simona Berman) is a little mouse who wants to be brave like her hero father, who was the first to stand up to a fox. Trying to be as brave, Whizzy makes a mistake and it costs her and a fox, Whitebelly, (Graham Halstead) their lives. Waking up in heaven, they learn to overcome their differences and be better versions of themselves, eventually reincarnating to animals of their own choosing.

Is It Any Good?

The stop-motion animation combined with CGI is rendered in beautiful high definition, so the film looks great, crisp, and genuine. The art direction in Even Mice Belong in Heaven is solid all-around, as are the performances, pacing, and thrills. While some of the material might be a little heavy since it's about death and heaven, many viewers will still get plenty of satisfaction out of this simple adventure. Even though heaven is a central concept, Christianity isn't mentioned nor is there any proselytizing, and in the end, all the animals get reincarnated into different (if they choose) animals.

At times, this adventure might remind viewers of the 1980s children's classic, The NeverEnding Story, but nothing about this Czech film is as complicated or dramatic. Instead, lessons of bravery, anti-bullying behavior, and keeping yourself clean all contribute to an easy-to-watch romp. The only drawback is that many scenes might be too scary for younger viewers.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about violence in family adventure movies. Do you think any parts of Even Mice Belong in Heaven were too scary? If so, which ones?

  • Did you like how heaven looked? If it was your idea of heaven, how would it have looked differently?

  • What do you think is the best lesson the movie teaches?

  • How was the character strength of courage presented?

Movie Details

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