Common Sense Media Review
By Tracy Moore
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Wildlife adventure has some peril, sensual characters.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Guardian of the Highlands
What's the Story?
Bessie Boo the Beaver is an endangered species, so veterinarian Sir Billi (Sean Connery) and his friends, including Gordi the Goat, must band together to save the beaver, protect the highlands, and rediscover what community really means when one of their own comes under fire.
Is It Any Good?
GUARDIAN OF THE HIGHLANDS has a bit of an identity crisis: It's an animated children's movie about saving an endangered beaver but with the winking sultriness at times of a grown-up action movie. It borrows heavily from James Bond in the introduction, action, and treatment of female characters, who are often shown with heaving, exaggerated cleavage. There are some nice ideas about preserving wildlife and endangered species, and the community must work together to save the day against the evil corporation and corrupt officers. And fans of Sean Connery may enjoy his wisecracking role as a veterinarian/skateboarder/ladies' man. But there's a bit of a mishmash of action and jokes here without a lot of meaningful plot development and some iffy portrayals that muddle the positive messages.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about endangered species. Do you know any endangered species in your area? What are they? What can we do to protect endangered species?
Teamwork helps to save Bessie Boo the Beaver. When was the last time you had to work on a team? What happened? What did you accomplish?
What is your favorite place in nature, and why?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 13, 2013
- Cast : Sean Connery , Alan Cumming
- Director : Sascha Hartmann
- Inclusion Information : Bisexual Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : NewVideo
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Adventures , Animals
- Run time : 76 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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