Iffy for 6+
Dazzling wildlife docu has a few intense moments.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this stunning nature documentary portrays how animals around the world are born, live, and, yes, die. Although there aren't any grisly shots of predators ripping apart their prey, there are disturbing scenes in which animals are chased and attacked. In a few cases, the predators win; you see them grip their catch with their teeth, but then the scene quickly changes. Other than those possibly upsetting scenes -- plus another in which an animal dies of starvation and exhaustion -- the film is appropriate (and educational) for kids of all ages. It's worth noting that the movie uses footage from the acclaimed TV series Planet Earth, so if you've seen that, you've seen the images included here.
- Families can talk about the circle of life. Some of the animal death scenes may be upsetting, but they're also part of nature. How do kids feel about seeing some animals attack others? Does it make them feel differently about the predators?
- Were the animals overly humanized, or was it clear that animals aren'texactly like people?
- Families can also talk about how the planet'screatures are all interconnected. How does the changing climate in onepart of the world affect animals across the globe?
The good stuff
-
Educational value: Kids will learn a lot about the habitat and habits of the featured animals -- and the world in which all of us live.
-
Messages: The movie is a strong argument for conservation and taking care of the planet. It doesn't shy away from showing the realities of life in the wild, but it doesn't linger on or exploit the sadder scenes, either.
-
Role models: The animals' behavior is presented in a way that makes some of theminto positive role models. All of the mothers are incredibly protectiveand loving toward their young. They teach their babies how to navigatethe world, just as human parents do, which will help young viewers (andtheir parents!) relate to the animals. The animals are also toughsurvivors who have to overcome staggering odds each year just to staynourished and alive.
What to watch for
-
Violence and scariness: In several scenes, predators -- a pride of lions, a cheetah, a wolf -- successfully catch and kill other animals, such as an elephant, a caribou calf, and a gazelle. In each case, the camera cuts before anything grisly happens, but the animal's death is obvious and could upset some kids. Another animal dies (on camera) of starvation, and one confused young elephant ends up walking in the opposite direction of his herd, which will clearly lead to his death.
-
Sexy stuff: The mating rituals of a few animals are discussed, and, in one humorous sequence, a male bird of paradise tries to seduce a female by tidying up his habitat and performing a special "song and dance."
-
Language: Not an issue
-
Consumerism: Not an issue
-
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
Fan Reviews provided by
3
I had anticipated this for weeks...but was let down big time! by kellyu
I took my husband, 5 year old daughter, and almost 2 year old son on earth day to watch this movie.
Well, the movie couldn't keep my son's interest (it moves very slow and there are lots of scenic scenes with no animals mixed in) BUT I assumed he wouldn't go for it...hey I tried. So my husband and son left.
I realized about 10 minutes into it, that I had seen ALMOST ALL of these scenes before on the discovery channel. Literally, the same exact scenes with a new narrator... I was very annoyed. Why would I pay to see this on the big screen when I had already seen it for "free" at home???
Then my 5 year old animal lover who was so excited to see the movie....fell asleep in her chair. I couldn't believe it. nothing gets her to sleep! She is a crazy ball of energy and this movie sucked it out of her. What a bust.
I only recommend this to adults or older children who have not seen the planet earth movies or anything on discovery channel....other than that...don't waste your time!
3
Earth by jpdelia
There was more "death" than expected. Disney portrays this as a family movie, but I was quite dismayed when my four year old daugther reacted with such sadness when the death of some animals was shown. I have no issues with this, but in this instance, it was definitely not expected. I would still take my daughter, but would hope to explain to her what he subject conent was and informing her of this before I let her help make the decision of the movie we take mom for Mother's Day. I was not aware of the violence that was in the movie, and was surprised by it, as it was NEVER protrayed in any trailers or commercials.
3
Earth by Writermommom
I took my 8 year old granddaughter who shares the love of animals with me. The photography was spectacular, actually breathtaking. Unfortunately, I did not like the preditor scenes. We ALL know that carnivorous animals hunt their prey BUT did they have to keep putting these scenes in the movie? It got to the point where it got upsetting-which little creature would be hunted next kept going through our minds.Although the actually tearing of skin was not explecit (up to the part of the movie that we stayed for), the game of chase the weaker animal was NOT entertaining to us. In fact, by the time a baby elephant was subject to attack, we decided to leave. Disney might say that this is what really happens so it needed to be in the film, well, rerate the movie to aat least a PG rating.
4
earth by mgrif426
fantastic cinematography- great aerial shots of terrain and migrating animals. it was like a bigger version of a national geographic special. HOWEVER, my young children were a bit traumatized by the suffering of the animals. there was several scenes of natural killing by predator that was done with much emotion evoking music, the lions attacking the baby elephant was gruesome- but it was the starving of the daddy polar bear that made my 8 year old cry and we finally had to leave early. suggest bracing young children for the realities of natural order, as well as a long talk about how we are helping the environment by conservation, etc. so there is hope for the polar bear if we can address global warming. all sad but all true- so a thought provoking and beautifully filmed movie but not a good pick for little guys.
3
May not be for young children by ejcatmovies
I read a review before taking my grandson that said this movie was for young kids and did not show the inevitable gore that is a fact of life in nature. That turned out to not be entirely true. In one scene, a cheetah chases down a cute little baby gizelle, claws it to the ground, and clamps its jaws around its little neck--all in slow motion with dramatic music building to a fever pitch. In another, a whole pride of lions successfully attack an elephant, accompanied by a lot of elephant screams and trumpeting and again very dramatic music. Both scenes were also accompanied by a LOT of small kid screams and crying throughout the theater.
Parents just need to be aware the scenes do exist. True, no blood was shown--but everything right up to the spurting was shown up close and personal in most dramatic fashion. You know your child--if he or she is sensitive to this type of scene, stay away. I don't know what type of "movie" we were expecting, but my grandson and I were disappointed.
4
Earth movie review by Sweete6056
This was a very smart movie. I brought my niece and she was very interested in seeing what would happen next. She is only 4 yrs old and it was very educational for her and myself. We laughed at the birds dancing and the monkeys crossing the water. We wept for the polar bear not being able to catch his meal and dieing. We were scared of the great white shark and the whales because of how big they were. It was a great movie and Disney should make more like this.
5
Walt Disney's Earth by dave gunter
The photography and cinematography are fantastic, spectacular.
This is an excellent and educational film.
This film is wonderful for children and adults alike..
I would like to see this film again because of the sheer beauty of the film.
It is a truly amazing, beautiful film.
3
earth by heymomma
I think that this movie was very informative and really brought a lot of true life mirgation experiences to the viewer however, I could have done without seeing the polar bear die. They are on the endangered species list and they just watched this happen. I did sit back and think they can not interfear with nature and I do understand that term and meaning. It still was something that could have been prevented.
I would not recomment coming to this movie if you have reallt sensitive children or if you are an extremist of the animal world.
4
great story by LStargazzer
I'm a fan of the old Disney live-action animal shows. This was very much like them and while it did allude to the fact that real life isn't "happily ever after" I found nothing inappropriate for my children (6 and 11) or most for that matter. It was a heart-warming story with amazing cinematography.
2
Same footage as planet earth by Chuzpah
I own the HD-DVD Planet Earth 4 DVD set and all of this footage was from that DVD set. The content is excellent and it was kind of cool seeing it on the big screen but I spent more for the 3 tickets then I did for the entire DVD set. Do yourself a favor and rent or buy the BBC original series.