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The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 3.0
    59

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 63

    out of 100

    USA Today Susan Wloszczyna

    Only a grouch wouldn't be a little tickled.

  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Tribune

    Subtle lessons on friendship, materialism and cooperation along with clever touches.

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 3+

Sesame Street fans will love this sweet movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that everything is topsy turvy when Elmo ventures into Grouchland, so a certain understanding of what is (and isn't) acceptable behavior is needed to get the humor fully -- hearing the pleasure with which the Grouches tell each other to get lost is funny only if you know it's not really OK. There are a few mildly perilous/tense moments that could upset sensitive or very young viewers, and some kids may be concerned that Elmo doesn't seem to have any parents and could need some reassurance.

  • Families can talk about their own "special" toys and other transition objects. Why is it sometimes hard to share?
  • What do the characters learn during the movie? What makes a Grouch a Grouch? (It can be a lot of fun to spend a couple of hours pretending the whole family is in Grouchland!)

The good stuff
  • educationalvalue true2

    Educational value: Most of the movie's lessons have to do with communication, determination, and friendship. When Elmo loses his blankie, he needs to use a set of skills that will help him get it back. He has to communicate his needs, he has to co-operate with grouches, and he has to follow directions to help him find Huxley's castle.

  • message true3

    Messages: As per usual, the friends on Sesame Street come in many colors, shapes, and sizes, and everyone pretty much gets along (alhough Grouchland is chock full of grouchy characters who throw manners out the window and tell each other to SCRAM!).

  • rolemodels true4

    Role models: Elmo's friends -- both adults and younger folks, human and monster -- come to Elmo's aid when he's in a bind. Everyone works together to help solve problems.

What to watch for
  • violence false1

    Violence and scariness: Some perilous moments -- like a rollerblading scene and falling down a tunnel -- that might put little ones on the edge of their seat. The villain, Huxley, is a selfish meanie who sends Elmo into a dark tunnel after stealing his blankie. But Elmo asks his friends in the audience for help and escapes the dark place.

  • sex false1

    Sexy stuff: The Queen of Trash is a curvaceous, sensual woman. Huxley is shown in his boxer shorts and an undershirt.

  • language false0

    Language: Grouches aren't models of friendly language. Part of their "charm" is saying "scram," "yuck," and "go away!"

  • consumerism false2

    Consumerism: Elmo has lots of toys in his room, including some Fisher Price classics and a poster of Tiger Woods. Huxley sings a song about things that he wants to take from other people in which he names brands like Atari and Ferrari. There's a reference to Starbucks, though it's called "Tarbucks."

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false0

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue

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