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Parents' Guide to

Yellowbird

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Warm, funny animated bird tale with some peril.

Movie PG 2015 90 minutes
Yellowbird Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 5+

Based on 3 parent reviews

beachmama77
beachmama77 Parent
February 24, 2019
age 5+

Has Drug Culture References/Poor Message

This movie just wasn’t funny - my kids barely laughed. I also had serious concerns about the storyline: The yellow bird sees the father bird dying and is given a last message to give to it survivors. Only the yellow bird doesn’t pass on the dying message and instead makes up a lie that he is supposed to lead the family on its migration. He puts the family in terrible danger throughout the movie and when they are finally almost dead at the north pole, and have been repeatedly lied to throughout the movie, yellowbird supposedly “redeems” himself by getting the birds into the back of an airplane that “miraculously” just happens to fly to Africa. At the end, they pass off his dishonesty (that almost kills them on a dozen occasions), as “part of any family...” The message is that it’s okay to lie and endanger other’s lives for your own selfish benefit. It’s likely to be lost on kids but the significant lying and disrespect of other’s wellbeing was troublesome for me. Also common sense media missed it in its review and ratings above but there’s also a big scene that glorifies drug culture when the male birds go out one evening (when they need to relax) for “the good air” & get *high* off of the high altitude air. They even use the word “high” and one character tells another that “you’re not gonna fly straight tomorrow...” It’s pretty shocking.

This title has:

Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
Orca105
Orca105 Adult
August 16, 2018
age 5+
There are a few instances of love in this movie
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

As his shell cracks and he prepares to enter the world, YELLOWBIRD (voiced by Seth Green) rolls out of his nest and finds himself alone. The wide-eyed, clueless orphaned bird is taken under the wing of a friendly ladybug, who does the best she can to provide some mothering. But, given the circumstances, Yellowbird is afraid of just about everything and has absolutely no confidence in either his ability to fly or take care of himself. An unsettling encounter with the courageous Darius (Danny Glover), who has been attacked by two mean cats and is desperately afraid for his flock, changes everything. Darius begs Yellowbird for help. Autumn has come and winter is on the way; his flock must immediately set off for Africa, where they spend their winter months in warmth and comfort. Giving Yellowbird detailed instructions on the new route he's found, and exacting a promise from the little bird about transmitting those instructions to Karl, the most likely new leader of the flock, Darius dies. Scared beyond belief but wanting to see the world, Yellowbird keeps his promise. But he fudges Darius's intent so he will be the flock's leader. It's an intentional "mistake" that almost destroys everyone. The journey to Africa is filled with danger, excitement, unexplored lands, and budding relationships that may just provide Yellowbird with the family he's always wanted.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (1 ):

The pace is a bit slower than in franchise cartoons made primarily for American kids (who get used to a barrage of rat-a-tat-tat action sequences). But this charming film should hold the interest of and appeal for kids who are comfortable with real versus pretend danger. What makes it most appealing is the inventive, artful animation and the distinct personalities and points of view of the characters. Wonderfully voiced by an impressive list of featured players (including Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Christine Baranski, Richard Kind, Jim Nash, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Elliott Gould), Yellowbird and his colleagues offer a delightful look at industrious and comic birds on their annual trip to warmer climes. The only cautionary note is that the story lingers for a while on a beloved father figure's death after an attack by two feral cats.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Yellowbird's refusal to 'fess up about his lie. How would the flock's situation have improved if he had told the truth earlier? Have you had a similar experience? What did you learn from it?

  • Look up some fun facts about bird migration. Why do birds migrate yearly? Which fly south? Which fly north? Which bird species flies the farthest? How do birds know when it's time to fly home?

  • Find out the difference between "character-driven" and "plot-driven" stories. Into which of the two categories does Yellowbird fit? Why?

Movie Details

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