The Wild Thornberrys Movie (2002)
Runtime: 80 mins
Theatrical Release: Dec 20, 2002 Wide
Box Office: $39,766,440
Synopsis: The plucky, pigtailed Eliza Thornberry (voiced by Lacey Chabert) and her high-strung chimpanzee pal (Tom Kane) are out to stop some poachers in this feature film version of the Nickelodeon TV cartoon show. While her family is off on a trek through the Serengeti in their high-tech,... The plucky, pigtailed Eliza Thornberry (voiced by Lacey Chabert) and her high-strung chimpanzee pal (Tom Kane) are out to stop some poachers in this feature film version of the Nickelodeon TV cartoon show. While her family is off on a trek through the Serengeti in their high-tech, gadget-filled RV, Eliza is sent off to a stuffy English boarding school by her strict grandmother (Lynn Redgrave). Poor Eliza must figure out how to escape back to Africa and put a stop to the aforementioned evil poachers, all without her special ability to talk to the animals, a power she lost because of her obnoxious sister Debbie (Danielle Harris). Produced and animated by Klasky-Csupo (the team responsible for THE RUGRATS MOVIE) the THORNBERRYS' colorful 2D animation style is refreshingly simplistic, yet still manages to depict its jungle settings with surprisingly vivid intensity. Youngsters should be consistently engaged and adults will appreciate the high zaniness level, rapid-fire plotting, and absence of cloying sentiment. Celebrity voices include: Rupert Everett, Tim Curry, Marisa Tomei, and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea as Eliza's little brother Donnie, a gibbering wild child raised by apes. The soundtrack includes tunes by Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon. [More]
Genre: Childrens
Starring: Brenda Blethyn, Jodi Carlisle, Lacey Chabert, Tim Curry, Rupert Everett
Screenwriter: Kate Boutilier
Producer: Arlene Klasky, Gabor Csupo, Paul Germain
Composer: Randy Kerber, Drew Neumann
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Reviews
The film's draughtsmanship is more than adequate, the voicing of the characters excellent, and the songs are way above average for such fare.
A decent soundtrack rounds off a surprisingly engaging and energetic little-kids' adventure.
Amenable parents can watch this with the little ones instead of just using the DVD or VHS tape as a virtual nanny . . .
Adults will be bored into slumber, and even kids deserve something with a little more bite.
Evokes a little of the fear that parents have for the possible futures of their children--and the sometimes bad choices mothers and fathers make in the interests of doing them good.
It may not pull off any state-of-the art animation coups, but The Wild Thornberrys Movie understands that strong characters and involving storytelling are still the bottom line in a quality kids' film.
The animation may not be in the same class as The Lion King, but co-directors Jeff McGrath and Cathy Malkasian deserve praise for their attempts to render Africa's wildlife as authentically as possible.
This is thoroughly entertaining with an important message. And with its above-average animation it's also well worth seeing on a big screen.
One of the more intelligent children's movies to hit theaters this year.
Eliza repeatedly proves herself as an exemplary avatar of The Right Stuff. You go, girl!
The drumbeat behind the Thornberrys' energetic exploits may not be as explosive as its celebrated Disney counterpart The Lion King, but it certainly gives off a similar rhythmic radiance nevertheless.
An entertaining feature-length version of the Nickelodeon TV cartoon.
Never more than an extended TV episode, the originality of its heroine and messages merit a recommendation for families seeking slightly more thoughtful animated fare.
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