Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Uninspired animated adventure has quirky characters, peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Big Trip
What's the Story?
A peculiar bundle lands near the house of Mic-Mic Bear (Drake Bell) in THE BIG TRIP. When the big, brown bear discovers a baby panda and watches a soaring stork disappear in the sky, the awful truth comes to him -- this special delivery is a mistake! The baby panda is adorable, but he cries a lot, and he definitely doesn't belong in Mic-Mic's forest. Oscar (Pauly Shore), an annoying hare, appeals to Mic-Mic. He wants to come along on the trip the bear must make to find the baby's rightful home. As the journey begins, the two travelers and the little panda encounter very unusual companions -- a poetic tiger, a very frightened wolf, and a pelican who almost never stops talking. Unfortunately, distance isn't the only problem the well-meaning animals must conquer. They must also face the recurring appearances of a terrifying and powerful python who means them harm.
Is It Any Good?
The story is easy to understand, the characters cute, and the animation is fine; however, the movie is repetitious, uninspired, and its cartoon peril may be a bit too scary for the target audience. The Big Trip makes an earnest attempt to follow its purposefully quirky animal folks on an obstacle-filled journey with a happy ending; and it succeeds, in part. Younger kids (who are okay with cartoon violence) will appreciate the funny characters, but won't get some of the jokes (references to Shakespeare?), nor is there sufficient pace to keep them engaged. And, there's not enough inventiveness, wit, or energy to hold the attention of older ones.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the scary moments in The Big Trip. Even though it's a cartoon movie, which events might be disturbing for younger kids or more sensitive kids? Why is it importance to understand the impact of violence on kids? How do the adults in your home determine which movies are suitable for your family?
In this movie, the animals behave like humans ("anthropomorphism"). Why does telling a human story using animals as the characters work so well? How does it make the story both relatable and interesting for you? Find out more about anthropomorphism.
What helped the very frightened wolf find his courage? Have you ever behaved in a courageous way to help someone even when you were scared? How did it make you feel?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : January 14, 2020
- Cast : Drake Bell , Pauly Shore
- Director : Vasily Rovensky
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Run time : 84 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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