The Highway Rat
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
The Highway Rat
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Highway Rat is an animated adventure based on a book by Julia Donaldson, author of The Gruffalo and Zog. It's about a greedy rat (voiced by David Tennant) who steals food from the other animals. The film is a fable with the rat eventually learning the error of his ways -- the lesson being that it's never too late to change who you are. The rat carries a sword that he uses to force the other animals -- voiced by the likes of Tom Hollander and Frances de la Tour -- to hand over their food. He also accidentally stabs himself in the foot. However, none of these encounters leads to any serious injury. The rat does find himself trapped in a cave at one point, but this is all part of his journey of redemption and he's never in any serious peril. A duck (Nina Sosanya) shows intelligence and courage in standing up to the rat and teaching him a lesson.
What's the Story?
THE HIGHWAY RAT (voiced by David Tennant) spends his life stealing food from the other animals he encounters. But then a duck (Nina Sosanya) decides to teach him a lesson. Can the rat learn the error of his ways?
Is It Any Good?
Another adaptation from the Julia Donaldson stable of preschool books, this cartoon adventure fails to capture the magic of the likes of The Gruffalo and The Snail and the Whale. The animation looks great and once again the appeal of Donaldson's stories pulls in an array of voice talent including Tennant, Rob Brydon, and Tom Hollander. But whereas Donaldson's other tales captured the imagination with clever plot twists, here the rat's predictable journey to redemption is pedestrian and lacks any cutting edge, much like the rat's pointy sword.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what lessons were learned in The Highway Rat. How did the rat change throughout the story? What caused this change?
Have you read or seen any other Julia Donaldson stories? If so, how did this compare?
Talk about movies that are based on books. What are some of your favorites?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: April 12, 2018
- Cast: David Tennant, Rob Brydon, Frances de la Tour
- Director: Jeroen Jaspaert
- Studio: Magic Light Pictures
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Adventures, Book Characters, Wild Animals
- Run time: 25 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: January 18, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
The Gruffalo
Favorite book adaptation promotes brains over brawn.
-
The Snail and the Whale
Joyful animation champions adventure, courage, friendship.
-
Zog
Short animated adaptation is full of positive messages.
For kids who love animated adventures
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate