Reviews (35)

A Coon Dogs Friendship!
This story is quite simple and is for both children and adults. The story is about a boys wish to get a coon dog. He lives in a part of the country where coons abound and its just natural to have coon dogs. The coons can be sold to England for money, so it is a trade for some. For others it is a contest to show how many coons there dogs can catch. Competition and sport becomes important to many who own coon dogs. The young boy is the main character in the story and his relationship to two dogs that he saves money to buy and than train is mostly half of the movie. The next half is a competition between other coon dogs to see who can win prize money and the trophy by how many coons the dogs can catch. The last part of the movie is sad and sort of hokey. I don't particularly like hunting as a sport so maybe that is why I couldn't get into this movie. The story revolves around animals being chased into trees and up roofs, etc. The cinematography is just beautiful and I would have loved to have seen this on the big screen. It sort of reminds me of the landscape in Songcatcher. That movie was based in the Applacians. The acting in the movie is pretty dry and not alot of affect in put into their characterizations. Overall, I rated it three stars. I love animals and this movie is all about the relationship about the boy and his pets but it just doesn't show that bond that I wanted to see. There were some scenes where the dogs looked so cute, especially when they were first learning to hunt coons. But that was not enough for me to up this to four stars...

The Worst Movie Ever
Wow! They can turn one of the best books ever into the worst movie I think I've ever seen. I read the book in my Language class. I thought that the book was alright for something that we had to read. But then when we watched the movie, it changed my whole perspective on Where The Red Fern Grows. The actors were horrible, the same with the special effects. And if you get this movie to watch what you read, you need to find something else. It leaves out some of the best parts of the book. I was disgusted with this movie. It may be the worst movie I've ever seen.

One of the best movies about friendship
I first saw this movie when I was in third grade and it is still one of the most heartwarming movies I have ever seen. About a boy who, during the great depression, skrimped and saved to buy a pair of coon hounds. After he finally got them he raised them to become the best pair of coon hunters in the county. What the dogs do for him proves an unconditional friendship to the end. I never fail to cry at the end. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.

So good I wish I could give it 10 stars ! - by Damaris
Now after all the movies I saw I have to say that Where the Red Fern Grows was the BEST one.I have never seen anything like it before.I thought the movie was very strong.The movie had a lot of emotional parts in it.I thought the boy who played Billy was the kind of boy who always agreed with his dogs and who never gave up on them. Now I've been reading other people's review of the movie, and most of them wrote that the movie was bad because it was not the same as the book.Well, I thought they were wrong. There might be someone who didn't like the book, so they'd want to see the movie and if it was exactly the same as the book, they want to see the movie! I am Happy the way the movie is.The people who made the movie did a great job.

Where the Red Fern Grows
Our seventh grade just read Where The Red Fern Grows. It was the best book ever and the rest of my friends think so too. It just became our new favorite book and then our teacher, Mr. Cutlip, asked us if we wanted to watch the movie. We said yes -- we were so excited and when we first starting watching it we were so excited but the more we watched it, the more we did not like it. We got so mad at it because it was leaving some real good parts out because the book was just so good we all figured the move was going to be real good. We all were wanting to know if you could go back and remake the movie all over BUT this time make it as close to the book as you can -- then you will have the best book and movie ever. And trust me everybody would buy it -- I would be the first one to buy it because your book is so good my mom is going to buy the book for me and there is not one book that I liked to read until now and it is Where The Red Fern Grows. ... Read more

Reviews (41)

great family entertainment
i love this movie as much as my children. we saw it two times in the theater and countless times at home.michael j fox is the perfect choice for the voice of chance the pup. i also love don ameche as shadow the older dog and sally field as sassy the cat.the movie is a great combination of humor and adventure, plus the scenery is just beautiful. even though i've watched the movie over and over,i always find myself crying at the ending.

Faithful pets overcome obstacles to reunite with family
This wonderful remake of the 1963 Disney feature rivals its predecessor in warmth and beauty. -- A family needs to relocate for a brief period, but cannot take along their 3 pets; a cat and two dogs. Left in good hands on a farm, the animals feel abandoned by their masters, determined to find them. The 3 pets 'escape' only to endure many challenges. Upon hearing what happened, the family begins a desperate search for their beloved pets. -- Of course, all ends well. This film does more than give a mushy account of a pet/master reunion; there are serious 'situations' dealt with honestly and with feeling. A stepfather at last is accepted by the children of his new wife. The ultimate triumph of this movie is the plea to NEVER LOSE HOPE!

One of the last great PG-rated movies
I haven't seen Homeward Bound in almost a decade (I eventually lost the VHS tape our family bought a few months after it hit theaters), but I have so many fond memories of it as a teen. I absolutely adored this movie back then, and I still do now. Homeward Bound is wonderful for all audiences, and it isn't something parents would hate sitting through. I've been going through all the movies I loved when I was young, and nearly all of them are entertaining for everyone, and didn't try to dumb anything down for their target audience. It's a shame that there's been a somewhat recent shift in what's "suitable" even for a PG movie. PG movies are much more tame than they were from before 1996. In this day and age, it seems that all G and PG-rated movies are made for the 10 and under crowd, but back before 1996 so-called "children's" movies were enjoyable for everyone from the kids they was meant to entertain all the way up to the adults who plunked their kids down in front of them. Homeward Bound was one of the last great PG movies that everyone could love. It's exciting, adorable, and funny. These are some of my favorite "edgier" G and PG movies that don't insult children by being too tame: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie (1990), Beetlejuice (1988), Return to Oz (1985), Labyrinth (1986), and The Last Unicorn (1982).

Heartwarming Nature Adventure with 3-Hankie Finale!
This is the wonderful remake of the 1963 Disney feature "The Incredible Journey" and rivals its predecessor in warmth and beauty. Both are based on a true story.

A family needs to relocate for a brief period, but cannot take along their 3 pets; a cat and two dogs. Left in good hands on a farm, the animals feel abandoned by their masters, determined to find them. The 3 pets 'escape' only to endure many challenges. Upon hearing what happened, the family begins a desperate search for their beloved pets.

Of course, all ends well. This film does more than give a mushy account of a pet/master reunion; there are serious 'situations' dealt with honestly and with feeling. A stepfather at last is accepted by the children of his new wife. The ultimate triumph of this movie is the plea to NEVER LOSE HOPE!*****

Better than the second. 16th april 2004.
Seen both, the first is a little bit better than the second. They are both very similar so if you hated the first, you probably wouldn't like the second. It is about 3 pets sassy, chance and shadow who's owners have just left to go on holiday. The 3 pets are left with a woman for a few days until the father as finished what he doing over there. The pets don't feel safe, so they decide to run off in the forests and lakes to find there family. It is a dangerous world out there with the lions and bears and mountain lions. But they spend a whole journey to find them. Chance dosen't like the pound, none of them do but he is mad on not going in again. They end up going there eventually, they are found safe and sound by police officers that have reported about them. But still they refuse to go to the pound, especcially chance he pulls and pulls to not get into danger again when actually they are trying to help them. There family are worried, they head off home to the pound where they have herd thats where they are. But the only thing is, they manage to get away from the pound and when there owners come to pick them up, they arn't there. They head home. But there family manages to get home first and still they haven't found them. They bark and meaow[sassy the cat] and they know it is them they are home at last. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Carroll Ballard's 1983 adaptation of Farley Mowat's autobiographical novel turns his life-changing experience studying the wolves in Canada's inhospitable North into a moving drama of one man's courage and discovery of nature's majesty. Charles Martin Smith plays green biologist Tyler, sent by the Canadian government to "prove" that the wolves are depleting the caribou herds, but what he finds is a natural world in perfect harmony where he becomes a tolerated outsider. Dumped unprepared in the wilds by a hard drinking bush pilot (Brian Dennehy), Tyler learns survival skills from the aged Eskimo who saves his life and the rules of coexistence from a neighboring wolf (which results in a literal pissing contest as man and beast mark their respective territories). Tyler's journey culminates in the majestic run with the wolf pack, an exhilarating sequence where for an instant he becomes one with natural environment of the wilds. For all its beauty, however, Tyler's experience becomes a bittersweet lesson as the encroachment of hunters, tourism, and the social landscape threaten the natural order. As in his previous film, the delicate and lovely The Black Stallion, Ballard's astounding visual treatment captures the awesome natural beauty of the Canadian wilderness with power and poignancy. Kevin Costner's Oscar-winning Dances with Wolves explores many of the themes presented in this film, but without the resonance or beauty of Ballard's unsung masterpiece. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (64)

Best Film of the 80's
Screw "Raging Bull." This quiet little Disney film from the mid-80's will knock your socks off. Carroll Ballard works wonders with this exquisite movie based on Farley Mowat's tales of wilderness in the Arctic. BY FAR the best of the early Disney "attempts" at more adult storytelling. And BY FAR the best score Mark Isham has ever produced. I've seen the film a dozen times, and cannot WAIT to see the quality of the Anchor Bay widescreen release. Check out the Mark Isham Score (available on Amazon.com). The only thing missing is the cool music from the mouse eating scene...sorry for the spoiler!

Fine fictionalized documentary ahead of its time
This fictionalization of the Farley Mowat book about his Arctic adventures studying wolves is amazingly enough perhaps the most controversial film Disney studios ever made. How sad is that? The reasons for the controversy would seem minor: first, the movie is not entirely true to Mowat's book; two, it's lightly plotted; and three, a man is seen running around naked in the tundra. To which I say, so what? so what? and gee, how offensive. (Maybe they should have clothed the wolves.)

The latter complaint is the major reason for all the ranting by some "reviewers." To them a Disney film showing human nakedness seems a sacrilege and they want their bowdlerized world returned to them, and they want Disney censured and made to promise never to do anything like that again! The complaint that there wasn't enough tension in the film is also off base since this is a contemplative, even spiritual film, not a slick thriller. People with sound-bite attention spans who need to mainline exploding cars and ripped flesh to keep them interested need not apply.

The criticism that Director Carroll Ballard's film is not entirely true to the book is legitimate, but I would point out that movies are seldom if ever entirely true to their source material. A film is one kind of media with its particular demands while a book is another. It is impossible to completely translate a book into a movie. Something is always inevitably lost, but something is often gained. Here the cinematography and the beautiful musical score by Mark Isham are fine compensations.

The acting by Charles Martin Smith as "Tyler" (Farley Mowat) and Brian Dennehy as Rosie, the exploitive redneck bushpilot, and Samason Jorah as Mike the compromised Inuit (who sells wolf skins for dentures) and especially Zachary Ittimangnaq as Ootek, the quiet, wise man of the north are also pluses. Note how compactly the main issues of the film are exemplified in these four characters. Indeed, what this film is about is the dying of a way of life, not just that of the wolves, but of the Inuit people themselves who are losing their land and their resources while their young people are being seduced away from what is real and true and time-honored for the glittering trinkets of the postmodern world. This is a story of impending loss and it is as melancholy as the cold autumn wind that blows across the tundra.

What I think elevates this above most nature films is first the intense sense of what it would be like for a lower forty-eight kind of guy to survive in a most inhospitable wilderness, and second the witty presentation of some of the scenes. Ballard works hard to make sure we understand that it is cold, very cold and desolate and that there are dangers of exposure and weather and just plain loss of perspective that have killed many a would-be adventurer and might very well kill Tyler. I think it was entirely right that near the end of the film we get the sense that Tyler is going off the deep end emotionally, that the majestic and profoundly melancholy experience has been too much for him.

Tyler begins as a greenhorn biologist dropped alone onto a frozen lake amid snow covered mountains rising in the distance so that we can see immediately how puny he is within this incredibly harsh vastness. The following scene when Ootek finds him and leaves him and he chases Ootek until he drops, and then Ootek saves him, gives him shelter, and leaves again without a word, was just beautiful. And the scenes with the "mice" and running naked among the caribou and teaching Ootek to juggle were delightful. The territorial marking scene was apt and witty and tastefully done. (At least, I don't think the wolves were offended.)

This movie was not perfect, however. For one thing, those were not "mice" that Tyler found his tent infested with. I suspect they were lemmings posing for the cameras. Those who have seen the film about the making of this movie undoubtedly know what they were; please advise me if you do. Also the "interior" of Tyler's tent was way too big to fit into the tent as displayed. Also it would be important from a nutritional point of view for Tyler to eat the "mice" raw as the wolves did! (The actual creatures that Mowat ate I assume were mice.) If Tyler had to exist purely on roasted and boiled rodent for many months, he would encounter some nutritional deficiencies. Still, eating a diet of the whole, uncooked mouse would be sustaining whereas a diet of lean meat only would not. (Add blubber and internal organs for an all-meat diet to work.) Incidentally, the Inuit people get their vitamin C from blubber and the contents of the stomachs of the animals they kill.

Where were the mosquitos and the biting flies that the tundra is infamous for?

Since this movie appeared almost twenty years ago, the public image of the wolf has greatly improved and wolves have been reintroduced to Yellowstone Park. I think everybody in this fine production can take some credit for that.

Great movie and great book!
This was one of the first (and few) books I read for fun while I was growing up. Then when the movie came out, it was the icing on the cake. Today I'm ordering it for my dad for Father's Day in rememberance of "back then." I can't wait to watch it with him after all these years.

lol @ one star reviewers!
I find the one star reviews of this movie amusing.Its sad that people condemn this movie just because they are hyper and easily bored and entertained only by blood and violence.The same movie that bores the aforementioned fools will satisfy more intelligent and philosophical individuals that have more interest in the natural world.As an animal lover and animal welfare activist,I enjoyed this film and can recommend it to anyone thats ever had an interest in nature and wildlife.Remember to order the wide-screen version,you`ll see the film as it was meant to be seen.

proto "lost in translation"
Well, at least, I get the same sort of feeling from both films. I am biased--I love Alaska, the wilderness, and hate people. So the setting of this film works for me--something I picture in my mind when i am stuck in rush hour traffic. There is some slow moments in the plot. The movie has some feel-good undertones to it. However, the sound in most movies is merely a backdrop. In this, it really serves to move the film along, to connect on a different level. Sound plays into the plot. My favorite scene is when the scientist is sitting on a hill playing his oboe to a midnight Alaskan sun. There is something transcendent about that very scene. I almost see it as the connection of two worlds. Regardless, I would highly recommend it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Twelve-year-old Jay Berry Lee has one goal this summer: to buy his ownpony. He plans to work long hours in his grandfather's general store toearn the money for it. But business is slow in this Great Plains farm town circa 1910, and his dream seems unreachable until the day he discovers a group ofescaped circus monkeys. Despite his father's warnings and his mother'sanger over his irresponsibility, Jay Berry tries everything in his powerto capture the comical monkeys and claim the handsome reward offered bytheir owner. During his efforts, he learns important lessons abouttenacity, charity, prioritizing his values, and, yes, monkeys.

Based on the award-winningnovel by WilsonRawls, Summer of theMonkeys brings together a snug ensemble of capable actors. The mostrecognizable cast members include Wilford Brimley (Cocoon) and the mild-mannered Michael Ontkean (Twin Peaks). Corey Sevierhandles the role of Jay Berry Lee with the right blend of preteenadrenaline and emotion. Under the direction of Michael Anderson(Around the World in Eighty Days) the characters treat this moderately paced period piece with great care.Both the story and the dialogue are sensible without being sentimental, aquality that should appeal to all family members. Its clean, upbeatstyle may remind adult viewers of Disney's wilderness family classics ofthe 1970s. --Liane Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Movie with a sweet message
This movie is not really about monkeys but a story about a young boy growing up and out of selfishness. It's wonderful to watch this boy take a big step to becoming a man by the things he experiences one eventful summer. I was satisfied to have my children watch a film with such a great message.It was also nice to watch a film with clean language. You won't be sorry you watched it.
A Concerned Christian Mom

A family classic with a rich story and wonderful humor.
Academy award-winning director, Michael Anderson ("Around the World in 80 days) brings his considerable talent to this family classic, based on the Wilson Rawls novel of the same name. Beautifully photographed in a stunning period pieced drama, this new Disney release is something the whole family will love. With charming performances by Corey Sevier (Lassie), Katie Stuart (The Crow) and Wilford Brimley (Cocoon), the movie takes viewers through a summer of growing up for Jay Berry Lee, a fourteen year-old farm boy. Through his encounter and humorous attempts to catch a rascally group of escaped circus monkeys, Jay ends up learning far more important lessons about life than he ever dreamed. Winner of numerous film festival awards, and the Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence, "Summer of the Monkeys" will keep you coming back for more.

Wonderful movie
Like a previous reviewer stated, the title didn't catch me. The cover (I was 8 and judging by the cover was the way to tell) looked bored and showed off a boring deal. It didn't help that it looked rural. It just looked dull!

How wrong I was! I haven't watched this movie in probably five years, but I remember it's magic. It was just a great, simple movie. You could relate to Jay-he was the troublemaker, yet often felt ignored. Corey Sevier is one of those actors that you see everywhere but you can't quite put your finger on it--but he's great!

The highlights of this movie are simple scenes, really. Unlike most, there's no HUGE event that leads the movie. That said, it's a simple movie that even young kids can enjoy. Kids who's favorites movie list upon the Fast and the Furious, may not like it because it's not that kind of movie-but sensitive children are sure to love it!

How far off can you get.
I always try to be fair to movies where the book is involved. Movies like The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter are perfect example of a faithful adaptaion of the book. Summer of the Monkeys sadly does not measure up. I am forced to ask the question: how far from the book can you get and still use the same title? Obviously really far. The two biggest glaring errors are the main character's age. From the book, very first page and very first line, "Up until I was 14 years old." In the movie he is 12. This is what really bugged me; the book specifically placed the setting in the Ozak Mountains on the banks of the Illonis River in Oklahoma. Hmm... I don't think that was a prairie yet the movie filmed it in what looked like Nebraska. I would recomend renting this movie. Buy the book, as it is one of my all time favorites. Even as an adult I come back to read it and enjoy it thouruly every time. In short the movie makers did not come even close to capturing the book and it is not worth buying.

Be Brave.
During the storm scene while Jay and Daisy's Ma was reading the scripture from the bible Daisy was clinging on too her Pa Jay was praying and there Pa was holding onto Daisy so tight .They made it through the horrid storm without breaking a single bone or without getting hurt even though the storm wrecked there house they were just glad God blessed them with a miracle .Like it said on the ad a story with laughter and faith. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Buried like a bone in a snowdrift, Balto never achieved the theatrical success it should have, but it's worth digging up. The film is structured on the true tale of a lead sled dog, Balto, that brought a diphtheria antitoxin to the small town of Nome, Alaska. The film balances comedy, villany, and drama very well and the voice work is above average. Safe family viewing, as even the villain's comeuppance manages a civilized resolution. The only problem is that the film never explains why these events in Alaska inspired New Yorkers to build a statue to the dog in Central Park. Maybe Balto eventually got mugged there. --Keith Simanton ... Read more

Reviews (51)

Wonderful!
This is a film I have no problem recommending to anyone! Suitable for adults and children alike, Balto is a movie that first touched my heart back in 1995 when it was first released and continues to reign as my all-time favorite animated movie. Kevin Bacon delivers an excellent performance as the humble and timid, Balto, while the rest of the voice cast brings to life his simple but captivating world. I can't say enough about this movie. While it isn't exactly historically correct, the movie uses the true story of Balto as a stepping-stone into a tale about friendship, love, and what real courage is. Relaying a timeless message of excepting others for who they truly are, Balto is a movie thats perfect for helping children realize that hate, prejudice, and discrimination are evil poisons. It also delivers a message about loving those who hate you and that one person (or dog) can make a difference- they just have to be willing to stand up and step in. These are lessons that not just children but also adults need to be reminded of and this is just the movie to do that. Forget Disney for awhile and check out this true masterpiece from Universal.

Couldn't be a better film!
This is a really good movie.I've been watching it for as long as I can remember.It's about a dog (part wolf)who is an outcast in Nome,Alaska.He's friends with a Russian snow goose called Boris (the funniest character in the movie) and 2 polar bears called Muk and Luk who can't swim.He's also in love with a dog called Jenna, and there's a villian called Steele.
When a disease strikes (with Jenna's owner, Rosie, among the sick) and the sled team sent to get the anti-toxin is lost, Balto must find and rescue the team and face avalanches,icicle falls and (of course) Steele.A brilliant movie.

A powerful story
My only regret with this movie, is that I did not catch it at the cinema! However when I first rented it from a video store, I instantly fell in love with it (and ended up re-renting it out quite a few times before finally receiving a VHS copy of my own later on). Now it is on DVD and so I have happily purchased this to keep forever more, it really is an absolute favourite of mine.

Story Summary:

Our main character is a half-dog, half-wolf protagonist who is shunned by the townspeople and rejects the outside life of the wolves, he doesn't belong anywhere. This story sees the children of the town threatened by a virus and when it seems that the life-saving medicine will be impossible to obtain, our protoganist throws himself into the world of both realities for the sake of others and getting his chance at proving his worth to the world, but not without it's trials and tribulations of course. Place in an overbearing and selfish lead husky, a gentle canine love interest, a cynical goose partner, and some fun polar bears, then be prepared for a ride filled with danger, love and humour. All carried along with a powerful message that "You don't need a pedigree to help someone" and of acceptance of the self so as to cherish those personal qualities that make you different and attempt to rise above the odds by acting to your fullest.

Elements:

The animation is wonderfully done, very impressive and carries the story well. As mentioned before, the music is also a treat, the end credits vocal fits the whole movie extremely well and is as powerful as the movie's message itself, the instrumental soundtrack also gives a powerful underlying atmosphere to all the dynamic scenes. The plot is played out well, as firstly you are gradually introduced to the main characters through fitting scenes and get a good feeling for who they are and how they carry themselves out in life, an important factor for following a character driven plot. Then there is a good variety in the action, causing our protagonist to be pitted against an array of odds that keep you gripped and doesn't let the pace die. As mentioned, the voices are all acted out very well.

Conclusion:

Either way this film is a must-see in my opinion, and one I have happily seen many times myself. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Sidenote:

However on another note, I believe the VHS cover would of been better than this new cover, it seemed to have a more powerful composition with a nice variety of colour. If I remember right, it doesn't outrightly say "true story", it was more like "the story that became a legend" which could still be in a fictional sense since it is a word often used in mystical themes, rather than the word "true" that pulls away any doubt of this not being from something or other based in reality. If I remember correctly that is. Either way, since I didn't enter this movie initially thinking in a forward manner of "This is based on a true story" I felt the ending words had an added impact. But this is an extremely minor point, and this movie is very impacting either way in my opinion.

So, as stated, this is based loosely on a true story. For the purpose of this version of the original story things have been re-invented and so on. I do not believe this being an alternative interpretation detracts from this movie, incase you wondered, and I feel it's very impacting and influential. When I first watched this film I had no idea of this being based at all on a true story, so when the final words came, "Based on a true story", I was very touched as the underlying achievement is extremely impressive. To see the bare facts you may wish to see other documentation in company with this movie, however.

All in all, a great and influential story.

Lots of fun!
Does it really matter that this isn't exactly "historical?" I mean c'mon people, it's entertainment, not a history book.

My only gripe is that is was released in 4:3, aka "Full Screen." This was probably done for the kiddies, but for those of us that enjoy a good animated flick, release it in widescreen! That's the only reason it doesn't rate 5 stars.

If you've got access to a region free DVD player, order the German version from Amazon.de. It's a much nicer presentation, in it's original 16:9, with the english dialogue track.

Maybe Universal will release a special edition here in the states, with the theatrical version. Don't hold your breath too long, tho!

Another Universal Classic Animated Feature
Balto has been around since 1995 and even today the animation is still spactacular. There is nothing but absolute beauty in every shot and in every note in the compelling music score. The voice acting is performed very well. Especially Phill Collins as Muk and Luk. If there's one complaint I have about this film is the fact that it's not acclaimed as much as it should be. I do wish that a widescreen presentation was availible and I don't very much agree with them changing the cover art. Unfortunatey Universal doesn't seem to care much. But the film is a joy either way. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Psst: don't tell anybody, but this time the whale, and all of his whale palsand relatives, are either computer-generated images or old-fashioned miniatures(models). The humans in this film are reasonably real, however, includingJason James Richter, returning to his role as the former delinquent whoseadvocacy for an imprisoned orca turned his life around in Free Willy.You may recall that Willy jumped the aquarium fence, so to speak, at the endof that 1993 family movie, and regrouped in open seas with the pod from whichhe had been cruelly snatched. This 1995 sequel again finds Willy in troubleat the hands of the civilized world, this time due to an oil slick andexplosion that may very well kill him or cause him to be locked away again. Meanwhile, Richter's growing character has other problems, including atroublesome half-brother and the rumblings of puppy love. One way in whichthis film is superior to its predecessor is a greater range of visualopportunities, i.e., shooting out on the ocean instead of in the whale hero'sold tank. Of course, it helps that master cinematographer LászlóKovács(Five Easy Pieces) is behind the camera. Followed by another sequel. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Good subject, lousy implementation, worse than the 1st.
I have to ask some of the people who RAVED about this movie if they actually were awake during the whole thing...

The computer generated graphics can not compare to real whales, sorry. I'm a big fan of computer generated images, but not this time.

The story is stretched to levels of disbelief that I didn't believe imaginable.

It's not horrible, but it's not as good as the first movie.

Kids will love it more than adults, that's for sure.

The subject matter is great. I love a good eco/bio movie any day but it could have been done better.

The little bit of budding romance was actually done reasonably well.

Net: I own it, only cuz the wife bought it. I wouldn't have. I've seen it twice, but other than that, it's tough to get through it without laughing. I know, I'm probably much too critical on this one, but hey, sometimes ya just gotta say "YO."

You might want to rent it before you think about buying it.

The Adventure Home Brings It Home!
Sure, everyone is going to make fun of Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home because everyone thinks Willy got home, right? No way! This movie is way rad, better than the original. Although it is a bit predictable (and silly), it has a strong plot, young love, that same 'save the whales' message, the cute Jason James Richter, and real suspense at the end. We learn that an older, girl-crazy Jesse (Richter) has a little brother (Elvis) that must come stay with the Greenwoods (Annie and Glen, Jesse's foster family) after Jesse's biological mom dies. You'll probably remember that in Free Willy Jesse was looking for his mom. Anyway, they all go camping and visit Randolph (the Native American guy that worked at the Whale Park and helped to free Willy). Jesse sees Willy for the first time in years (calling him with the harmonica tune from the original) and meets Nadiene, Randolph's God-daughter. She shares a love of orcas, and all is well until there is a terrible oil spill threatening Willy and his family. But thats not all! Feeling neglected, Elvis runs away but overhears the oil company owner's plans for Willy and his family-to catch and sell them. Then, while Jesse, Elvis and Nadiene are helping the whales to safety, the oil spill catches fire and they are nearly killed.

The acting is a little, well, over-the-top, but it's a great movie. It features another Michael Jackson song and Jesse with his harmonica and guitar. You will dig it, no matter what age. It's my favorite movie and I'm 16! (also check out Free Willy 3: The Rescue)

Better than the original
this is better than the original even though the original is awesome, this one is just has better

Better than the original
I love this one, better than the original.Better story and Better plot.

Good Movie, the first one was sooo much better
its a follow-up. its definatly worth watching. i think the third movie was a bit much but it was nice to see what was happening to jesse. the first one was alot better. it was about the connection between an orphaned boy and whale and how they freed eachother. it was an amazing movie if you exclude the michael jackson video at the beginning but i usually just fast forward through that, no harm done. the second one is a good investment though if you loved the first one. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

My 3-year-old LOVES Trumpet of the Swan! Great for Kids!
Trumpet of the Swan is obviously a film made for children, but one that adults can enjoy too...which is VERY important if your children are like mine and watch their new video DAILY for the first week! I must add that I think it's unfair to hold this movie up to Disney standards as some reviewers seem to be doing. This is NOT a Disney film, which costs about $10 more, and I find it is every bit as good or better than anything else in the childrens home video department.

I've never read the book, so I can't speak to how well it follows the original story (but does anything from Hollywood EVER follow the original book?) And I concede the animation does not meet the highest standards. (There's a pretty obvious flaw in Louie's big trumpet performance.)

But on to the positives...

While the animation isn't the best quality, the color is bright and beautiful! And the vocal talent is terrific! The cast of voices includes Jason Alexander (Father), Mary Steenburgen (Mother), Seth Green (Boyd), Reese Witherspoon (Serena), Carol Burnett and Joe Mantegna. Each actor injects life and personality into their character. I especially liked Mary Steenburgen's "mother" and Jason's "father" is very entertaining. My daughter thinks the camp leader who mumbles through the megaphone is funny--I found him annoying at first but I got the joke when I saw the campfire scene.

And as a music lover I must mention the film's music. Louie's "trumpet voice" is performed by Michael "Patches" Stewart, and the music score is by Marcus Miller. I find myself humming the tunes at work and my 3 year-old is already starting to sing along with the words!

Bottom line...small children will love Trumpet of the Swan!

My Kids Love this Movie
My two children ages 3 and 4 love this movie. In fact, this is one that they routinely watch, rewind and watch again (when I let them). I have sat down and watched this movie several times over and still enjoy it.

This doesn't follow the original book very well. If you are someone that believes a movie has to follow the book word for word you will be dissapointed. However, if you can get past that, you will enjoy this book.

Louis a trumpeter swan is born unable to talk. He falls in love with Serena and can't court her. He goes to school and learns to read and spell and write. However, as other swans can't read it does him very little good. In the meantime his father gets a trumpet for him. Louis learns to talk through the trumpet and music.

This is a classic video. It is well done. I have read reviews for the dvd that say there is poor pictures and audio. This is not the case for the VHS tape we have at our house.

This movie is about relationships between parents and friends and husbands and wives. It is about music and love and more.

Well worth the money.
Enjoy.

I like it all
I sort of liked the story. I didn't like when the father gets hurt but I liked when Serena was like um like you know well I liked when Louis gives Serena his heart cause he loves her.

Not as good as Charlotte's Web
Charlotte's Web is the only movie my 3 year old son has taken any interest in. He watches it over and over. I love Charlotte's Web too, but I've been looking for another movie that he likes equally well. I thought a movie based on a book written by the same author would be just the thing. Nope. He took Trumpet of the Swan out midway through and put Charlotte's Web in. I'll admit that I didn't like it nearly as much either. I didn't find the animation and audio objectionable ( 3 year olds don't care), but the story just seemed a little slow. This movie will probably sit on the shelf.

Heartwarming and just plain nice movie for kids.........
My 3 1/2 year old son loves this movie. It is genuine and cute. I'd recommend it as a great addition to any family video collection. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

What a disappointment!
This movie was a BIG disappointment! I bought it to show to my 4th grade class after we read the book Hatchet. Well, unfortunately this movie is not suitable for viewing in school. Although the book did not have any profanity in it - the movie definitely does!

It doesn't really deserve any stars.
Okay, I'm in the sixth grade, and we just read this book in class, and then watched the movie. I can't freaking believe that Gary Paulsen consented this, much less wrote the screenplay. It's a horrible movie, and does no justice to the book. I liked the book. For some reason it reminded me of Lord of the Flies, except it was less depressing, cuz there weren't a bunch of kids running around killing eachother. Brian had some character, and there was an intellectual side to the book, but the movie..urgh. It was a mockery.

People, Gary Paulsen wrote the screenplay
The reviewers below state that this movie is not worthy of the excellent Gary Paulsen novel. I hate to break this to you, guys, but Gary Paulsen was one of the two screenplay writers of this film. Of course it's not going to be better than the book; no movie ever is. However, it is a pretty good movie in itself. It can stand on its own, and follows the book pretty closely. The movie is about a twelve-year-old boy whose plane crashes in the Canadien wilderness when the pilot has a heart attack. He is the only survivor, and must fend for himself against the many dangers of the wilderness. In a 90-minute movie, there is not much time for character development, as there was in the hundreds of pages alotted for the book. The only thing that bothered me was why the DVD did not have a time counter. This is the only DVD I have ever viewed in which that was the case.

A travesty --- worse than a waste of time
This video is a travesty. It claims to be based on the excellent children's book _Hatchet_ by Gary Paulsen.
This video adds gratuitous profanity to the story, not in the book's text, which makes it unsuitable for many classrooms and age levels.
The video also butchers the plot of the book, and has Brian doing idiotic things which he doesn't do in the book. For instance, Brian uses the blade of his hatchet to mark days in stone. Brian wildly hacks at the lake's water with his hatchet to catch fish. And Brian adopts orphaned bear cubs, managing to catch enough fish for them to grow up on (which they seem to do in a day).
In one of his author tour appearances, Gary Paulsen himself said that he didn't like this film (I don't recall his exact words).
...
This video is not only a waste of time, but is seemingly written/directed by folks who were intentionally trying to wreck the feeling, sentiment and message of Paulsen's book. This is not a mere jazzing up, or telescoping of events to fit the movie time and format. This is really bad. Skip this piece of junk; get the _Hatchet_ unabridged audio book instead.

Hatchet Vs. A Cry in the Wild
As a professor of Reading Education, I use the book, Hatchet, and this video to demonstrate to teachers-in training that books and videos can both serve a purpose in the classroom. First we read the book. With undergraduates, I read the book to them, one chapter per day. With graduate students, they read the book on their own. After we've read the book, we do a "compare and contrast" comprehension activity. Students are expected to write notes about how the two media are similar and different. Using an "H" compare and contrast page (one leg of the H is for Hatchet, one for A Cry in the Wild -- the horizontal leg is used for common items in the book and movie). Once students see and hear Paulsen's talent for crafting words, the movie always is ranked as a distant second. The video also illustrates what Hollywood must do to command a person's attention. For the modest price of the video, it's an excellent way to demonstrate to students of all ages, the power of books over video. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Good movie, but not quite as good as the book. . .
As with the first Black Stallion movie, I probably would have liked this one better if I hadn't read the book first. There are lots of things that are changed -- for example, the setting for the Black's home is changed to North Africa instead of Saudi Arabia, and Alec ends up going off on the journey by himself, instead of with Henry and Mr. Volence, the owner of one of the horses who ran against Alec in the match race. But these are changes I can handle. The one thing that really irks me is the way Abu Ishak was portrayed. In the book, Abu Ishak was a pretty nice guy. He offered Alec a reward when he came to claim the Black -- legally and tactfully -- and understood how much Alec loved the Black. When Alec and his travelling companions find Abu Ishak's home, Abu Ishak warmly welcomes them. In the film, however the same character is a total jerk. He ruthlessly snatches the Black away after setting the Ramsay's barn on fire to create a diversion, and even ties Alec up at the pier to stop him from following them. And when Alec treks all the way across the desert to find him, Abu Ishak only allows Alec to stay after Alec coerces him into it by appealing to his conscience. Only at the end at the film does he show something resembling kindness. The ending in the film was OK, but I like the book's ending better, when Ishak promises Alec the Black's first colt. I suppose the directors wanted to make sure there wouldn't be another sequel. Cass-Ole's presence was about the only thing that made this film very appealing. I give it two stars.

The Black returns to his homeland.
I watched this movie in the theater when it first came out. It was a great movie. I cried when Abu ben Ishak claimed the stallion from Alec, while Alec was trying to encourage the stallion to gallop away, who refused to move. The book is much different from the movie but both book and movie are great to read and to watch. I would have liked to see Abu go to Alec's home and explain about Shetan(the Black's true Arabian name) being his and that the stallion was stolen from him. (somewhat similar to what the book did.) Instead they had them kidnap the stallion, wrong thing to do, if Alec was smart he would have turned back to the cops that must have been at the house while the barn was burning down and told them that someone was stealing his horse. But he didn't. What he did was run after the thieves and get into the trailer with the Black. But they must have stopped once or twice on the way to the waterfront werehouse. Alex could have easily have escaped with the Black before they reached the werehouse. The whole movie was great, a few things were not by the book but I guess that's how Hollywood wanted the movie to be. I still love both movie and book.

Not up to the original, but not bad for younger viewers
Certainly this is a far cry from the magnificent, magical dream-poem that is the original Black Stallion movie. More of a standard animal/adventure film for younger viewers and if you think about it that way, it's not too bad. Most of the original cast (except Mr. Rooney) return and it was made in a timely enough way that Kelly Reno is still relatively young and charming -- a really non-actorish child actor and part of the whole appeal. I read both books as a little tyke, but didn't remember the second book too well. It seems to me that many of the details were changed but the general idea of the Black being kidnapped back to his original home in an Arabic country is retained.

Alec's adventures chasing his horse are appealing and interesting, and so is the climactic race at the end. But the story just peters out, and we never see Alec return home or what he does without his beloved horse now. (You do have to wonder in a kid's film why there is no resolution with his poor mom (Terri Garr), who had to be frantic when her young son mysteriously disappears for about three months.)

I applied the "11 year old girl who is horse crazy" test to this film, and decided it would definitely pass. That is who it is really made for, despite the male protagonist (and there is a girl rider in the plot, although she gets the heave-ho in favor of the hero). And that girl (me, about a million years ago) would have enjoyed this, although not as much as the original. It would have held my attention and I would have wanted to view it several times.

If your children loved the first film, this much more prosaic sequel would probably be of interest. Just don't expect great art.

The Stallion Returns!!!
Four years after the first film, l983 would usher in this sequel to the The Black Stallion, and Kelly Reno would once again be the one who rescues the Arabian stallion from other thrilling captivities. There are more horses, exotic locations, and thrilling plots here than meets the eye, and the story gets so much better. But of course, it is "Cass-ole" who steals the show - the beautiful black Arabian stallion.

A might fine sequel to a great original film. Highly recommended!!!

one of my favorite all time movies!!!
the black stallion is one of the most magnificent creatures i have ever seen and the desert scenery is quite spectacular in this film... does anyone know how i can get a hold of the music, even just sheet music to this film? it's so beautiful... ... Read more

Description

Jack London's immortal tale of courage and survival comes to glorious life amid the breathtaking beauty of the great Alaskan frontier! Ethan Hawke (DEAD POETS SOCIETY) stars as a young man trying to fulfill his father's dying wish to find gold in the treacherous Yukon valley. His incredible journey begins when he meets a veteran gold miner (Klaus Maria Brandauer), who guides young Jack to his father's claim. Along the way, Jack discovers a kindred spirit who will change his life forever -- a magnificent wolf-dog named White Fang. From the taming of a wolf, to the taming of the wild, he must find the courage to conquer his fears and become a man in this spectacular outdoor adventure! ... Read more

Reviews (32)

White Fang- One of the best animal-film ever?
The story tells us about a battered wolf, who becomes the best friend of a young gold digger called Jack (Ethan Hawke).

The scenery of the wilderness and of the snowy Alaska is incredible. The dog-fight between White Fang and a bulldog is dramatic. If you like animal-storys, White Fang is the best film for you.

The actors are convincing and the score is good. The film is so good because it's based on a partly true story. We think that the film includes fun, action and adventure. We liked the scene in which the wolf saves Jacks life by chasing away a grizzly bear best.

It's a must to watch this film!

White Fang- One of the best animal-film ever?
The story tells us about a battered wolf, who becomes the best friend of a young gold digger called Jack (Ethan Hawke). The scenery of the wilderness and of the snowy Alaska is incredible. The dog-fight between White Fang and a bulldog is dramatic. If you like animal-storys, White Fang is the best film for you. The actors are convincing and the score is good. The film is so good because it's based on a partly true story. We think that the film includes fun, action and adventure. We liked the scene in which the wolf saves Jacks life by chasing away a grizzly bear best.

It's a must to watch this film!

Powerful tale of love and violence in Alaskan wilderness
This Disney version of White Fang, starring Ethan Hawke, Jed the wolf, and Bart the grizzly is my favorite movie. The film has breathtaking, sweeping views of the Alaskan wilderness with a swelling score to accompany the cinematography. And that's just the beginning. Fresh-faced and innocent Ethan Hawke plays a wonderful Jack, a young man trying to find his father's Yukon claim during the Gold Rush of the 1800's. Klaus Maria Brandauer brings realism as the man who grudgingly befriends the boy. Jack takes a journey from boy to young man as he encounters death, violence, cruelty, ignorance, friendship, and love in this beautiful movie for anyone of any age.

There is no sex, bad language, or nudity, but make no mistake: this is a violent and scary film. Scenes of dogfights are so realistic you cannot believe the animals are just acting. There is the death of a mother wolf in front of her cub, vicious dogfights, a grizzly attack, implied killing of a man by a pack of ravenous wolves, and an implied sensuous relationship between Brandauer and his lovely girlfriend.

Native Americans and wolves get the treatment they deserve in this movie, bringing a new perspective to viewers without being preachy or maudlin.

Warning: When the grizzly makes his appearance, it is when you least expect, and it will make your heart jump. And it is the biggest grizzly I have ever seen in my life. My hat goes off to the animal trainers in this film.

White Fang - Not even close to the book
If there was any mark lower than one star, I'd put it down. I have not even seen the movie and yet I read the description, and can say that this movie is the lowest of the low.

Jack London's book was an absolute masterpiece, and the movie has absolutely no connection with the book in question, other than title and the name of the wolf.

In the book, it was the life story of a wolf who eventually became domesticated, but not after being injured, beaten, thrown into the fighting pits, and generally had to endure a life of hate for both men and other dogs.

I cannot beleive disney put such a great title on a movie if the film does not have a shred of the art it has been named after.

If you want the real White Fang, go to some bookstore, or search here at Amazon, and get the book. This movie's been designed only to catch the attention of gullible oafs who do not check the back of the case to see what it's about.

To those people who rated 3 and above, read the book and you will share my view, that this movie is a scandal against Jack London and the novel, and should be ignored like any other crappy movie.

I loved this movie...
It's a little different than the book, but a wonderful movie nonetheless.... My only complaint is that it's not on DVD.. major bummer! ... Read more

Description

Your favorite trio of talking animals is back in this action-packed Disney adventure that'll have the whole family bursting with excitement and laughter! Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, and Ralph Waite supply the voices of Chance, the American bulldog; Sassy, the Himalayan cat; and Shadow, the golden retriever -- and Sinbad speaks for their newfound canine friend, Riley -- in this critically acclaimed sequel to Disney's now-classic HOMEWARD BOUND: THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY. When the pets accidentally get separated from their vacationing owners, Chance, Shadow, and Sassy navigate the mean streets of San Francisco, trying to find their home across the Golden Gate Bridge. But the road is blocked by a series of hazards, both man and beast. It's another incredible journey for three very brave, very lovable pets, in a thrilling, funny adventure that's 'bound to please' (New York Post) the entire family! ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Another amazing journey!
Now it starts off when the family is planning a plane trip to Canada. Chance the american bulldog thinks that instead of going to Canada he is going to the dog pound because his owner Jamie has been mean to him. Chance escapes from the cage and runs through the airport with Shadow the golden retriever and Sassy the Himilayan cat trying to stop him. Now these animals get lost in a city and comes across stray dogs that don't like humans. That really gives a moral lesson to humans about how dogs feel not having a home. Throughout, the animals will come across dog fights, rescuing a boy from a fire, and avoiding dog catchers. During their trip to finding the bridge back home Chance gets a girlfriend named Delilah.
This movie had it's funny moments like the first one but the only sad moment was when Chance lost his girlfriend going back home and almost getting hit by a truck. I would recommend this movie if you liked the first one and see if you like it as much.

As Good As The First
This, like the original, was really good. I saw it in the movie theaters when I was little, and had been a big fan of the original before that.

This one takes a good direction: pets lost in the city. I think it is a little funnier than the first. Having all the different dogs around makes the movie more fun, the two bad dogs and Reilly's gang. Chance's girlfriend, Delilah, just got in the way here. I've noticed that in a lot of sequels to Disney originals, a main character falls in love. It gets boring after awhile. Both HOMEWARD BOUND movies are real good, and that's a compliment coming from me, since I'm getting more into the horror genre now. Anyway, defenately rent them both, they're really fun to watch. In my opinion, there should be a HOMEWARD BOUND III made. I wouldn't mind another sequel to finish off the trilogy.

Really Funny Movie
This is a really funny movie for adults and kids! My younger kids like watching it to see the kitty and doggies, and my older kids love the funny jokes!

I recommend this movie.

Awesome Family Film
My kids and I thought this movie was fantastic. We watched it right after watching the first movie. After viewing this film my and 8 & 6 year olds were pretending to be the characters in the film, playing with our own dogs and cats. Wholesome family movie. Highly recommended.

Cruisin in San Francisco!
I loved the video. it was great, not as warm as HB1 but still good. Chance as usual not willing to follow orders and stay in his traveling box to Canada, runs out of the plane, forcing Sassie and Shadow to chase after him. They all wind up in San Francisco. They get rescued by some feral dogs from a couple of mean dogs. Chance falls in love with a dog. 2 dirtylooking mean guys roam around in a red truck catching animals until near the end when the ferals and the trio swamp them. One funny scene had Chance trapped in the red van with other dogs and Sassie on the outside telling him to admit "Cats Rule" in order to be freed. There was a scene where the 2 guys accidentally throw a cigarette at a house which causes a fire and so Shadow goes in to save a little boy and Sassie goes in to save the boy's kitten--this is the same boy that Sassie had tried to beg some food from earlier but Chance had ruined her chances by showing up. funny. It was a really funny, nice, fast video. Shadow as usual was his old and wise self. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Bittersweet!
I never saw the Call of the Wild movie that starred Charleton Heston but I saw this made for TV remake starring Rick Schroder and I thought it was a wonderful movie. Rick Schroder plays a young man who goes to try and find gold in Alaska and befiriends an abused sled dog who was actually someones beloved pet and was stolen and sent to Alaska to be a sled dog. Based on the book by Jack London it is a bitterwseet story with moments of joy and really sad moments that you may need to have a box of tissues near by and I highly recommed this movie. Rick Schroder did a fantastic job!

Rick Schroder Rules!!Great Family Movie!!
Rick Schroder does a superb portrayer of a boy who heads to the Yukon for the gold rush and develops a friendship with a wonderful dog.It's a great family film!! ... Read more

Description

Far from home in the lush bamboo forests of China, ten-year-old Ryan Tyler, with the help of a young girl, goes on a wonderful journey to rescue a baby panda taken by poachers. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Much LESS than what it appears
This is a good example of the very type of film that parents should watch out for: an empty, non-challenging story that has just enough pretty cinematography to fool you into thinking that it might be more. It is basically a "save the panda" plot that takes a small boy on a supposedly harrowing but utterly predictable journey. The movie greatly underestimates the capacity of kids to find moral interpretations, understand symbolism, and interpret ambiguity. What you get here is about an hour and a half of pretty predictability -- a movie that asks nothing of you as a viewer, gives nothing in return, and just plods on with pretty images and a repetitious sound track that becomes quite irritating. At least with the overtly "bad" children's films you can recoup some value by discussing how bad they are -- and why -- with your kids. This movie doesn't even give you that opportunity. Much better films are out there, including many "classic" films from earlier eras -- Walt Disney's "20,000 Under the Sea" or "Mary Poppins" for instance. Pass this one and keep on looking... your extra time will be rewarded.

Gimme a Break
This is not so much a review for the movie as much as it is thelling the annoying man with the 2 review to get a life. You realize that you are not a REAL reviewer, correct? Just wanted to make sure because most peoplee write a line or two about if a movie is cute or not. I've seen the movie many times and it's very cute! yes, maybe some parts are cheesey but guess what...it's a movie for CHILDREN! for a 5 - 10 year old child it would be exciting, funny, and education (to learn about pandas and how they are in danger of extincting) Another thing...have you seen any other movies before? how bout all the movies with MASSIVE explosions and the guns and endless violence. and you are going to call THE GREAT PANDA ADVENTURE "twisted" and "disturbing"...get a life! I mean..."oh no the parents are DIVORCED and the father is wrapped up in his work That is SOOO twisted!!!" your review of this movie is comical. and then I go to see what else you've reviewed...a bunch of stupid cartoons and you gave them all 5 stars ha ha get a life mr. D. Scott (and a job while your at it. I know that no one will probably read this but I thought I'd write it because some people bug me to no end. If you have a child they will love this movie. It shows life in (beautiful) china and the work it takes to keep animals in peace. one thing I do agree with D. Scott on is that sometimes you can tell the pandas are not real in a certain shot but I don't think your child will notice or even care.

WONDERFUL MOVIE
I too read the review written by D. Scott. I was appalled by it. What move did this gentelman view???!!!! This was a fabulous story filled with suspense, beauty, love and all that it can conquer. I am a teacher and have shown this movie to students ages 6-15 and their respective social studies teachers. EVERYONE LOVED IT!!! They learned a lot regarding endangered species and the power that dedication and love can hold in the end.

Twisted, Very Disturbing "Family Film"
This is one of the worst "family films" I have ever subjected my family to. Although the photography of the hill country in China is nice, and the (real) pandas are always cute, this film is, frankly, a bit disturbing. If you are even considering letting your children watch this film, PLEASE watch it yourself first.

The storyline of the film has been covered in many other reviews, so I will focus on the parts that seem troubling to me. A boy's parents are divorced because the father is so preoccupied with his work that he forgets about them. So what happens when the father sends the boy a ticket to fly to China? The boy flies there, COMPLETELY ALONE, only to have his father forget, not only to pick him up at the airport, but that he is coming at all. The boy finally gets to the panda reserve by jumping on a bus with a panda picture on it (he just happens to see it outside of the airport) with complete strangers he cannot comminucate with. Luckily, the bus goes straight to the preserve, but the father does not recognize his own son at first, and then reveals that he has forgotten that he is coming altogether. Nice work, Dad. THEN, the father immediately leaves, hot on the trail of armed and dangerous panda poachers, only to have his son disobey and follow, actually getting the father shot and putting the pandas in greater peril. The father leaves in a helicopter with a panda, leaving behind his son and two others in the same area as the still armed poachers. Another great one, dad. Of course, the son again disobeys and heads off into the forest after the armed poachers, who repeatedly aim rifles and shoot at him. When he finds the poacher's secret cave, the walls are lined with dead panda pelts (OK, Disney it's not).

Believe it or not, the entire story goes downhill from there, culminating in a ridiculous scene where the father tries to find his lost and presumed dead son (who is still being pursued by the now very angry armed poachers) while riding across the mountains on a very slow TRACTOR - I guess the helicopter from before that evacuated the panda couldn't be spared to find two lost children who may be DEAD, and who ARE in mortal danger. The son only seems to be able to gain his father's love by saving the panda, which would have been saved many times over if he only done what he was told and STAYED PUT. When the father finally does see that his son is alive, is he happy? No - he is only focused on "saving" the baby panda, who is now up a tree (climbing trees is what baby pandas do, so why the big fuss?) The son is rewarded by his father telling him he can stay for the summer and work at the panda reserve with him. Wasn't that the idea to begin with, Dad, or have you forgotten that, too?

This is a very poor excuse for a film. The filmmakers obviously thought that the Chinese scenery (beautiful) and the pandas (cute, although it is easy to spot the animatronic ones from a mile away) are enough to carry a film. They are not. At least the filmmakers could have written a believable script. They did not. How about just a film that you can safely sit your kids in front of while you do something "more important?" Strike three.

If anything, the parenting shown in this film proves that the best thing you can do with your kids is to spend time with them, not simply plop them in front of dangerously mindless dreck like this.

the Amazing Panda Adventure
It's a plausible scenario. quite a touching story. PANDAS looked quite real. The movie's got beautiful scenery and music,true to that part of the world. It shows the dedication of a true scientist,though didn't mention that there are more perils in the animal's natual habitat. It stands out to be a great movie. Pandas, indeed are very rear & precious species of the world! I don't remember if it's mentioned that PANDAS are high on the endangered species list. They need human intenvention. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The Greatest Family Movie ever Made
I thought this movie was made really well. This has been the greatest family movie I have ever seen. It had me laughing and crying at the same time. This is a film that the whole family can enjoy from 0 to 99 years old. And I believe that your whole family will love this movie and watch it everyday like I do.

One of the best family flicks ever.
This movie was made for everybody likes comedy. There are no boring parts at all. It is a bit sad at the end but not very sad. It is half sad half happy at the end. Every minute of this is entertaining. Buy this and enjoy.

Great movie
It is the best movie for kids. My kids watch it over and over again. So if you have kids aged 5 to 10 you should buy this vidio.

Sad,boring I hate it
It is very sad not as bad at the begining but very very sad at the end. It also went by to slow

Excellent for adults and children
Very entertaining for all ages, the gorilla was very well done, good for teaching children about commitment and responsibility. Makes you laugh and cry. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

FLIPPER-1963
Flipper 1963 is a good family film, but i dont like the chorus of what sounds like little childrens voices singing everyone loves the king of the sea, ever so kind and gentle is he, okay for a family film but it sounds like something that would make people think flipper is sappy and inspire put down jokes. One person said flipper is just a rehash of lassie, in some stories like the Ditching, where you hear go for help flipper were counting on you, youre our only hope but youll find stories like shark hunt or even flippers hour of peril quite different from lassie and the wolf cub. Flipper went more for adventure than the tearducts

Basic family fare...
The original Flipper movie is simple, and unpretentious tale that tickles the heartstrings. The story line is uncomplicated, with touches that keep it grounded in reality.

Chuck Connors, best known for playing Lucas McCain on "The Rifleman" TV program, is once again cast as a strong father figure. Here he is Porter Ricks, a fisherman trying to eek out a living, and support his wife (Kathleen Maguire) and young son Sandy (Luke Halpin). Life is very hard, as after surviving a hurricane, Porter must leave his family to repair his boat damaged in the storm.

While his father is away, Sandy is exploring the sea with some friends. A dolphin (Flipper), is shot with a spear by another boy in the party. The shooter is himself injured, and is taken away for medical attention. Sandy returns to the scene, with shotgun in hand, prepared to put the injured dolphin out of it's misery. Of course that can't happen, and Sandy brings the injured dolphin home.

Flipper's recovery is a most miraculous one, but the real story deals with the relationship between father and son, and the growth of