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| Lowest Recommended Age: | 4th - 6th Grades |
| MPAA Rating: | G |
| Profanity: | None |
| Nudity/Sex: | Mild references to babies being born |
| Alcohol/Drugs: | None |
| Violence/Scariness: | Low-key and mostly off-camera references to predators and life cycles |
| Diversity Issues: | Diverse species |
| Movie Release Date: | April 22, 2009 |
This stunning valentine to our planet’s plants and animals re-purposes some of the footage from the stunning documentary Planet Earth
The narration drags at times, mostly avoiding getting too cute but sometimes, even with the voice of James Earl Jones, sounding too much like an educational film for Social Studies classrooms. It alternates between almanac-worthy facts and figures and cozy folkish narratives about the animal families, never matching the grandeur of the visuals.
Parents should know that there are some discreet references to the life cycle and survival issues, some G-rated footage of predators (no blood), and not all of the animals make it to the end of the movie. There are also references to the consequences of climate change on the habitats of the animals.
Topics for discussion: Which of the animals are most like humans? Why?
If you like this, try: Planet Earth
posted May 5, 2009 at 11:04 am
The Circle of Life – with tooth and claw. even the Lion King had a little bit of that.
This is a great video!
posted May 5, 2009 at 12:04 pm
With papa lion James Earl Jones doing the narration, that really brings it home!
posted May 6, 2009 at 9:14 pm
why a “B”
posted May 6, 2009 at 10:37 pm
I was just going to ask “Why a B?” and see that it has been asked.
posted May 7, 2009 at 7:30 am
Sorry it wasn’t clear — I will revise the review to explain the B. Thanks!
posted May 11, 2009 at 10:38 pm
A word of warning based on my family’s experience: my 5- and 8-year-old daughters didn’t do well with the death: five, by my count, and one in sllllooowwww motion. Even my 10-year-old son wasn’t so crazy about the deaths. True, there was no blood, but it was sort of heavy of sensitive kids. My girls ended up missing a good part of the movie. Too bad, because it is stunningly beautiful and educational as well. (BTW, there were a couple of LOL moments as well.)
posted May 11, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Thanks so much for this comment, which is very helpful. As you can see, I am recommending it for 4th grade and up — I disagree with the G rating. The death of a parent animal and the scenes of the predators were especially tough.
posted May 18, 2009 at 10:18 am
Are there any thing in the movie suggesting evolution?
posted May 18, 2009 at 12:54 pm
The movie does not discuss evolution but there may be a reference to the age of the earth.