Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cute adventure with quirky animals; some mild scares.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Impy's Island
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
The last relic of the prehistoric era appears on Tikiwoo Island when a very ancient iceberg washes ashore with an unhatched dinosaur egg inside. Tikiwoo, a magical tropic paradise, is home to a wonderful menagerie of funny animals, as well as an eccentric human professor who devotes his time to teaching the creatures to speak. The folks on IMPY'S ISLAND are amazed and overjoyed when the egg hatches, and Impy -- an "impodochosaurus" steps into their midst. Just as Impy is beginning to feel at home and becoming an important part of island life, danger materializes in the person of King "Gone" (so-called because he's lost his throne and is thus "gone" from power). In his kingdom not far from Tikiwoo, the pesky monarch has gotten wind of the little tyke's presence and has set out to capture this strange being and take him home. It's a battle of wits and wisdom, as well as guns and natural disasters, as King Gone and his accomplice face a firmly united coterie of Impy's protectors and friends.
Is It Any Good?
This amiable film with lots of music is enjoyable, sincere in its effort to entertain, and has some original, clever characters. (Particularly endearing are a raspy-voiced monitor lizard and an OCD housekeeping pig -- not to mention an elephant seal who sounds a lot like Louis Armstrong when he sings.) It will appeal to most little kids and probably some early elementary school-age kids as well. Though there are some suspenseful moments and some close calls for the critters, no one comes to harm, and kids who clearly understand the difference between real and cartoon action should have no problem.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what you can learn about teamwork from this movie. How did each character on the island use a specific ability to contribute to the story?
The characters of Tikiwoo Island like to tease each other, but they always seem to stop before anyone's feelings are hurt. How can you tell when playful teasing becomes unkind? How do you let someone know they've gone too far?
How did Peg, the house pig, change over the course of the film? What changed her? Did you like her better at the end of the story?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 11, 2008
- Cast : Charlotte Mahoney , Jimmy Zoppi , Zoe Martin
- Directors : Reinhard Klooss , Holger Tappe
- Studio : Image Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Animals ( Dinosaurs ) , Adventures , Book Characters , Friendship
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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