Parents' Guide to Night of the Zoopocalypse

This is a surprisingly clever, amusing entry-level horror movie for younger viewers who are ready for a scary-but-fun adventure. Directors Ricardo Curtis and Rodrigo Perez-Castro skillfully incorporate familiar zombie-flick elements, particularly those from horror-comedies in which frightening sequences with the "undead" are balanced by funny scenes featuring surviving characters battling the menacing horde. An additional layer of comedy comes from Xavier the lemur; as a cinephile with encyclopedic knowledge of movie genres, he guides viewers (and his fellow animals) through the film's expected plot developments.

The voice ensemble is appealing, particularly the two leads: Harbour, who brings the gravelly gravitas necessary to effectively portray a top-of-the-food-chain mountain lion, and Kosmidis, whose wolf speaks with a Southern accent. An adorable young pygmy hippo (reminiscent of the popular Moo Deng) named Poot (Christina Nova), whom Gracie and Dan protect, serves as a charming sidekick and provides comic relief. She'll undoubtedly become a favorite character, as will the scrappy, smart Xavier. What works perfectly for a family film is that, while the chase sequences create a genuine sense of peril, ultimately none of the characters actually die (unlike in similar live-action horror films). With its brisk pacing and endearing characters, Night of the Zoopocalypse is an ideal choice for parents seeking something slightly frightening yet ultimately heartwarming.