The Wild Thornberrys Movie (2002)

This charming movie version of the Nickelodeon cartoon centers on Eliza, youngest daughter of the Thornberry family, whose parents Nigel and Marianne travel the world to create a nature program for television. But Eliza, thanks to a mystical encounter, has the power to talk to animals--a power that leads her on the hunt for poachers in Africa who have captured a baby cheetah. Eliza's best friend, a chimpanzee named Darwin, is along for the ride, while her resentful teenage sister Debbie is trying to bring her back to their parents. The characters in The Wild Thornberrys Movie are well-defined and delightful, the well-written script zips along, and the animation is visually dynamic; all in all, an excellent animated feature. Featuring the voices of Tim Curry, Lacey Chabert, Rupert Everett, Marisa Tomei, Alfre Woodard, and Lynn Redgrave. --Bret Fetzer Amazon.com

Great Movie for kids

This is a great movie for kids. It stretches the imagination while teaching lessons. Good pick even for a four year old. March 13, 2007

A good movie spin off from the clever TV series

The family (mum, dad, daughter 10, son 8) saw this at the cinema and really enjoyed it. Its works well as a DVD on the small screen as well and has quite a serious storyline, although to honest our kids have only watched it a few times, so perhaps try renting as well. Our children prefered to watch their many hours of TV Wild Thornberry episodes on video instead, as there is far more variety. However this is a very successful movie translation with quite a strong story for kids. It's not unlike Tarzan really with it's England public school sequences. Your children would probably appreciate it more if they are familiar with the TV series (but then they will have probably seen it already), and unfortunately the TV series isn't being screened much at the moment. I think the film will still make perfect sense if you aren't familiar The Wild Thornberries (it's just the exact reason why Eliza can talk to animals that is glossed over). I preferred this movie to the later 'Rugrat's go wild'. It's particularly of interest to a UK audience as Nigel Thornberry is very 1950s English, and a cross between David Attenborough and George Sanders (Sheer Khan in The Jungle Book). Plus any film with Brit Tim Curry involved is always fun (the voice of Nigel). There's also Lynn Redgrave as Cordelia Thornberry - Nigel's mum. The film particularly suites girls as both main leads are girls (although the animal action sequences keep the young men happy). Highly recommended for a 5 to 11 audience (and their parents), particularly as now it's an old title, it's quite cheap. December 23, 2006

yuk!

This movie is a no-no! No watch this! This bad for brain! Your brain melt! October 6, 2005

Wild movie

The Thornberrys are a delightful family, but there's nothing subtle about this film. It's not bad enough for the bad guys to be poachers; they would also stoop to murdering children to bag a single animal. The lighter side of this story is fun and engaging, and the animation is wonderful. Darwin the chimp is so cute. Is it too much of a challenge to feature the Thornberrys in a more realistic and less violent environmental movie? Teenagers may be too old to appreciate this film's charms, but it's more than tolerable for parents. September 25, 2005

Fun & Environmental Messages

I enjoy this film because it is entertaining and includes good messages, of compassion, responsibility and environmental conserns. I love films that get me thinking and keep me laughing and this is one of those. August 12, 2005

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