Wild Thornberrys Movie
Kid-savvy producers Arlene Klasky and Gabor Csupo bring The Wild Thornberrys to the big screen in a big, satisfying way. A magical blend of wit (a hallmark of the Klasky Csupo imprint) and a big-hearted view of the world and all its creatures makes the film more than a good bet to bring in family audiences during the holidays and beyond. Sequels loom large.
Kate Boutilier's screenplay retains the characters' original charm while giving them a large canvas for a big, bouncy adventure. In their first movie, the venerable Thornberrys take on important (sometimes disturbing) issues involving the evils of animal poaching that are nevertheless carefully tempered with humor and optimism to keep them manageable for young audiences. Along the way, directors Jeff McGrath and Cathy Malkasian enliven the story with a sprightly pace that never lags.
For audiences unfamiliar with the family, some explaining is apparently in order: The producers wisely attach the television series' familiar preface instead of sullying the film's enchanting dialogue with awkward explanations of the family business.
Nigel Thornberry (the voice of Tim Curry) and wife Marianne (Jodi Carlisle) produce a television nature show from the wilds of Africa, traveling around that continent with two daughters, the bratty teenager Debbie (Danielle Harris) and the younger, sweet-natured Eliza (Lacey Chabert). The family comes to the aid of endangered animals and generally takes up an array of other good causes. The hook, of course, is that young Eliza has a secret only the audience shares: She can converse with animals.
One day, as Eliza plays with cheetah cubs, one is snatched by two poachers. Eliza believes she is to blame and vows to rescue the cub, no matter what it takes. From here the movie turns into her official rite of passage as she confronts not only the poachers but also a crucial decision involving her magical powers with the animals.
The film has a fundamentally feminist view of the world. Eliza is a tough cookie. Both her humor and deeply felt convictions about animal rights and conservation grow organically from the story's center without so much as a whiff of tacked-on political correctness.
The film's optimism and intelligence are heightened by its buoyant animation, an uplifting score by Drew Neumann and especially by Paul Simon's touching song "Father and Daughter". The voices of Lynn Redgrave, Brenda Blethyn, Alfre Woodard, Brock Peters, Rupert Everett and Marisa Tomei add even more charm.
THE WILD THORNBERRYS MOVIE
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies present a Klasky Csupo production
Credits:
Directors: Jeff McGrath, Cathy Malkasian
Screenwriter: Kate Boutilier
Producers: Arlene Klasky, Gabor Csupo
Executive producers: Albie Hecht, Julia Pistor, Eryk Casemiro, Hal Waite
Co-producers: Tracy Kramer, Terry Thoren, Norton Virgien, Sean Lurie
Music: Drew Neumann
Additional music: Randy Kerber
Production designer: Dima Malanitchev
Editor: John Bryant
Voices:
Eliza Thornberry: Lacey Chabert
Darwin: Tom Kane
Nigel Thornberry: Tim Curry
Marianne Thornberry: Jodi Carlisle
Donnie: Michael Balzary (aka Flea)
Debbie: Danielle Harris
Cordelia Thornberry: Lynn Redgrave
Sloan Blackburn: Rupert Everett
Bree Blackburn: Marisa Tomei
Mrs. Fairgood: Brenda Blethyn
Running time -- 88 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
Kate Boutilier's screenplay retains the characters' original charm while giving them a large canvas for a big, bouncy adventure. In their first movie, the venerable Thornberrys take on important (sometimes disturbing) issues involving the evils of animal poaching that are nevertheless carefully tempered with humor and optimism to keep them manageable for young audiences. Along the way, directors Jeff McGrath and Cathy Malkasian enliven the story with a sprightly pace that never lags.
For audiences unfamiliar with the family, some explaining is apparently in order: The producers wisely attach the television series' familiar preface instead of sullying the film's enchanting dialogue with awkward explanations of the family business.
Nigel Thornberry (the voice of Tim Curry) and wife Marianne (Jodi Carlisle) produce a television nature show from the wilds of Africa, traveling around that continent with two daughters, the bratty teenager Debbie (Danielle Harris) and the younger, sweet-natured Eliza (Lacey Chabert). The family comes to the aid of endangered animals and generally takes up an array of other good causes. The hook, of course, is that young Eliza has a secret only the audience shares: She can converse with animals.
One day, as Eliza plays with cheetah cubs, one is snatched by two poachers. Eliza believes she is to blame and vows to rescue the cub, no matter what it takes. From here the movie turns into her official rite of passage as she confronts not only the poachers but also a crucial decision involving her magical powers with the animals.
The film has a fundamentally feminist view of the world. Eliza is a tough cookie. Both her humor and deeply felt convictions about animal rights and conservation grow organically from the story's center without so much as a whiff of tacked-on political correctness.
The film's optimism and intelligence are heightened by its buoyant animation, an uplifting score by Drew Neumann and especially by Paul Simon's touching song "Father and Daughter". The voices of Lynn Redgrave, Brenda Blethyn, Alfre Woodard, Brock Peters, Rupert Everett and Marisa Tomei add even more charm.
THE WILD THORNBERRYS MOVIE
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies present a Klasky Csupo production
Credits:
Directors: Jeff McGrath, Cathy Malkasian
Screenwriter: Kate Boutilier
Producers: Arlene Klasky, Gabor Csupo
Executive producers: Albie Hecht, Julia Pistor, Eryk Casemiro, Hal Waite
Co-producers: Tracy Kramer, Terry Thoren, Norton Virgien, Sean Lurie
Music: Drew Neumann
Additional music: Randy Kerber
Production designer: Dima Malanitchev
Editor: John Bryant
Voices:
Eliza Thornberry: Lacey Chabert
Darwin: Tom Kane
Nigel Thornberry: Tim Curry
Marianne Thornberry: Jodi Carlisle
Donnie: Michael Balzary (aka Flea)
Debbie: Danielle Harris
Cordelia Thornberry: Lynn Redgrave
Sloan Blackburn: Rupert Everett
Bree Blackburn: Marisa Tomei
Mrs. Fairgood: Brenda Blethyn
Running time -- 88 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
- 12/16/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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