The Wild Thornberrys Movie DVD with Tim Curry, Rupert Everett, Flea (PG) +Movie Reviews +Used DVD available for Swap

A rollicking adventure through the African jungle

Veggiechiliqueen | 03/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It has to be said: although I'm a twentysomething, I still *love * to watch Nickelodeon cartoons, my absolute favourite being "The Wild Thornberrys." I've seen every episode (many more than once), and I was a little skeptical at the thought of a full-length animated movie. Happily, the movie far surpassed my wildest expectations. The animation looks great, including the use of several CGI elements not present in the series (at some moments it reminded me of "The Lion King"). There is enough background information included (including the opening credits of the series) that newcomers won't feel left behind. The whole Thornberry gang is here, including the addition of Nigel's parents, and several new characters as well. The voice work is fantastic, including such well-known names as Tim Curry as Nigel, Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea as Donnie, Rupert Everett as the baddie, and Marisa Tomei. The music is an eclectic mix of traditional and modern, featuring such talents as Sting, Dave Matthews, P. Diddy and Brandy, Youssou D'Nour, Sting, Baha Men, Nick Carter, Peter Gabriel and Hugh Masekela. The story finds Eliza Thornberry, a twelve-year old with the magical ability to talk to animals, on a hunt for migrating elephants with her family, who are award-winning naturalists. Eliza's older sister Debbie is a moody, pop culture-obsessed Valley Girl who hates all the wilderness trekking. Donnie is the Bornean wild boy that the Thornberrys adopted, who is always causing trouble by making messes and stuffing things up his nose or down his pants. Darwin is Eliza's best friend, a chimpanzee with very human tastes, including his obsession with Cheese Munchies. Eliza starts out playing with the cubs of a cheetah friend, but when one of them is stolen by a poacher Eliza must rescue him. However, her parents send her to a London boarding school, where Eliza is miserable and doesn't fit in. The rest of the movie you'll have to see to believe!There are some scary chase scenes, wounded animals and tense moments that might upset younger viewers, but overall "The Thornberrys Movie" does an excellent job of bringing the show to the big screen while remaining faithful to the humour, excellent ethnic music, and magical elements of the original series. One of the things that I love the most about the "Wild Thornberrys" is that the episodes take viewers all around the world, and the show's producers try to avoid ethnic stereotypes with the various characters, as well as adding authentic music and traditions. This is one cartoon that is witty, educational and downright fun for the whole family. There's something for everyone with "The Wild Thornberrys Movie.""

Entertaining for young and old alike!

Donn C. Richardson | Boulder, CO USA | 01/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The theme of this movie is revealed on the theatrical posters. "You don't have to have extraordinary powers to do extraordinary things." What an empowering message for children saturated by super-powered heros every day of the week, as well as on the big screen!
The Thornberrys are a weekly cartoon and we'd never seen it, but the previews in the theaters looked so good, we thought we'd try it.
Needless to say, at 62, I and my wife were the oldest people in the theater by far.
We weren't disappointed. There was a lot of business thrown in for the younger set, (Mud, food fights, etc.) but also a lot of funny things which appealed to adults. Especially the sarcastic valley girl older sister, who learns some lessons herself. It's the kind of humor animators have been slipping into kids shows on television to keep the adults in the audience too. The story is good if you are willing to go along with it, after all, it is a cartoon!
As soon as I got home, I emailed my sisters suggesting they might want to take their grandchildren to see it. (If they need an excuse to be seen at a "kids" movie.) I'd say there are a few scenes which may be intense for anyone under five, but everyone above that age should really enjoy it, even "grand-parent aged" people."

Excellent Movie for All Ages

Donn C. Richardson | 01/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This cartoon movie, based on the kids' tv series, is an excellent movie to entertain people of all ages. It is visually stimulating and fast paced, capturing the attention of even young children for the duration of the movie. It delivers a wonderful message, without forcing it on the audience. You will walk away from this movie feeling great."

A movie your kids will enjoy, even if you won't

Donn C. Richardson | 01/20/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Eliza is the youngest of the Thornberry's - family dragged across the world by Mom & Dad to document nature ala Attenborough. Unknown to her parents and bratty older sister Debbie, Eliza can talk to the animals - a gift given her when she laved the life of a mystic shaman. Though no human can learn the secret, Eliza's gift has made her a best friend to animals like the chatty chimp Darwin and a family of Cheetahs. When one of the cheetah cubs is captured by a mysterious high-tech poacher, it's Eliza to the rescue (that is, once she can escape back to Africa from a boarding school to which her cartoonish-ly British grandmother consigns her).There's not much here that will surprise you (i.e., reward the parents who bring their kids to see this flick), and the story doesn't keep to any single ideas throughout the movie, or at least any longer than it would in a half-hour episode on NickToons. Still, my kids were game, and my 3-and a half year old never asked to leave."

Where's Oscar?

Donn C. Richardson | 04/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...I love watching the series with my daughter and expected the same excellent quality in the movie. I was not prepared to have my expectations surpassed to such an extreme. Not only was the animation of such quality to put some of the films that Disney has released to the big screen in recent years to shame (Return To Neverland? What were they thinking?), but the story was rich and filled with such heart that I was brought to tears (how could I not be, hearing Paul Simon's excellent song as I watched the film with my daughter?). When speaking of animation, I for one will speak of Klasky-Csupo in the same reverence as I speak of Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks, Hayao Miyazaki, and Katsuhiro Otomo. My eye is now firmly fixed on Klasky-Csupo (pronounced: class-key, chew-po).Others here have written fine synopses of the film so I'll just mention this: Many a hero has won the day with help from "magic" and while Eliza has a magical ability to speak to animals, she loses it when it would be most useful and it's her love, intelligence, and bravery that proves to be her greatest virtues. A great movie for any kid and their parents."

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