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All-Reviews.com Movie/Video Review
The Wild Thornberrys Movie
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  out of 4
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Starring: Brenda Blethyn, Tim Curry
Director: Cathy Malkasian
Rated: PG
RunTime: 90 Minutes
Release Date: December 2002
Genres: Animation, Kids |
Review by Susan Granger
3 stars out of 4
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Adapted from the popular, Emmy-nominated Nickelodeon series about an
appealing family of wacky naturalists, this full-length animated feature is
geared for family viewing. Set in Africa, the story revolves around precocious,
freckle-faced 12 year-old Eliza (Lacey Chabert) who - like "Dr. Doolittle" - can
talk to animals, particularly her pet chimpanzee Darwin (Tom Kane). It's a
special skill bestowed on her by a shaman - on the condition that she keep this
magical gift a secret. Eliza's father, Nigel (Tim Curry), is a blustery Brit,
while her mother, Marianne (Jodi Carlisle), is an adventurous American. The
senior Thornberrys make wildlife documentaries for public television. Eliza has
a sarcastic teenage sister Debbie (Danielle Harris) and monkey-like kid
brother, Donnie (Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers), who was adopted during one
of their earlier expeditions. The plot involves the filming of a wondrous event,
a solar eclipse that - legend has it - transfixes thousands of elephants who
emerge from the safety of the forest to view it. Problem is: two evil
ivory-hunters (Rupert Everett, Marisa Tomei) plan to ambush the elephants. Eliza
and Darwin know just how treacherous these poachers are because they stole a
cheetah cub from its mother. But because Eliza's reckless attempt to rescue the
cub so upset her grandmother (Lynn Redgrave), Eliza's been shipped off to a
staid London boarding school run by Mrs. Fairgood (Brenda Blethlyn). Eliza's
spunky and cool, so this character-driven cartoon has been expanded by writer
Kate Boutilier, given rich imagery by directors Jeff McGrath & Cathy Malkasian
("Rugrats") and catchy songs by Paul Simon and Peter Gabriel. On the Granger
Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, "The Wild Thornberrys" is an engaging 7. It's a jolly
good trip across the savannah.
Copyright © 2003 Susan Granger
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