The Wild Thornberrys Movie
By Nell Minow,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Exciting adventure in Africa for animal-loving TV family.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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Community Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Entertaining and excellent story for kids and adults, with a positive message, values, and exceptional role models
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Pretty Good
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What's the Story?
In this feature-length adventure, the Wild Thornberrys of the TV series set off to Africa to film a nature documentary. The family consists of relentlessly cheerful father Nigel (voice of Tim Curry), efficient but affectionate mom Marianne (voice of Jodi Carlisle), and their daughter, Eliza (voice of Lacy Chabert), a kind of Dr. Dolittle in braids and braces who understands and communicates in animal language. Also along are typical teen sister Debbie, pet chimpanzee Darwin (voice of Tom Kane), who is Eliza's best friend, and adopted toddler Donnie (voice of rock star Flea). In Africa, Eliza is playing with some cheetah cubs when one is snatched via helicopter by a poacher. Eliza risks her life to save the cub, but is knocked to the ground when the poacher cuts the rope ladder. Her parents, worried for her safety, send her to England to boarding school and Darwin goes with her by hiding in her suitcase. But she and Darwin return to Africa when she learns that the poachers are after a herd of elephants. It's up to Eliza to save the day, and it will require great courage and the willingness to sacrifice anything, even her ability to talk to animals.
Is It Any Good?
THE WILD THORNBERRYS MOVIE is wholesome enough to appeal to parents and funny enough to appeal to kids. The series is affiliated with the conservation group the National Wildlife Federation and so occasionally there are nuggets of nature facts thrown in to add a little substance. Eliza is in the grand tradition of adventuresome pre-adolescent fictional heroines like Alice, Pippi, Dorothy, and Pollyanna. She is brave, smart, loyal, and empathetic. She has good judgment most of the time, but when she doesn't, she learns from her mistakes.
The voice talent is first-rate, including Rupert Everett, Lynn Redgrave, Marisa Tomei, and Alfre Woodward. The action sequences are handled well and there are some witty moments, as when Debbie tries to explain to her father that she is trying to be sarcastic. It is nothing more than a supersized version of the television series, but it never pretends to be anything more and is fun for kids and parents alike.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the movie compares with the TV series. Is it as good or better in full-length film form?
Why do Eliza and Debbie feel so differently about the animals?
Families may want to discuss the issue of poachers going after wildlife. Kids: Do you see why Eliza would risk her life to save a cheetah cub?
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 20, 2002
- On DVD or streaming: April 1, 2003
- Cast: Jodi Carlisle, Lacey Chabert, Tom Kane
- Directors: Cathy Malkasian, Jeff McGrath
- Studio: Paramount Pictures
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Adventures, Wild Animals
- Run time: 80 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: some adventure peril
- Last updated: May 25, 2023
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