Movie Title: The Wild Thornberrys Movie
Official Website (it might still work): The Wild Thornberrys Movie
Rating (out of 10): 9
Reviewed By: Robin McFetridge
Buy the: Video/DVD | Soundtrack
The Review:

I admit it, I like watching Nickelodeon cartoons. In fact the characters of Arlene Klasky and Gabor Csupo are very entertaining and The Wild Thornberrys are no exception. Cathy Malkasian and Jeff McGrath directed this animation, which was simply and hour and a half cartoon exactly like what you would see on Nickelodeon. This has been an extremely successful formula for Nickelodeon films before, so why change it now?

We find Eliza Thornberry (voice of Lacey Chabert from Not Another Teen Movie) playing with her monkey Darwin (voice of Tom Kane, Dracula 2000) and all the other animals she can talk to. This is her gift, she can talk to the animals. Her parents Nigel Thornberry (voice of Tim Curry, Scary Movie 2) and Marianne (voice of Jodi Carlisle) are filming a documentary and have brought along their daughters Eliza and Debbie (voice of Danielle Harris) the typical annoyed teenager. During their journeys they picked up a monkey like boy, they named Donnie (voice/noises of Flea). On this particular adventure Eliza convinces the mother leopard to allow her cubs to come out and play with her. Poachers sweep out of the sky in a helicopter and snatch a cub. Eliza heartbroken vows to get the cub back. Only her grandmother Cordelia (voice of Lynn Redgrave) who came to visit, convinces her son to send Eliza to boarding school where she will be better off. This version of The Wild Thornberrys is different because this is where we learn how Eliza was given the gift to speak with animals and how she could lose it. After Darwin stowed away in Eliza’s luggage, all hell breaks lose at the boarding school. Eliza convinces her uppity roommate Sarah Wellington (voice of Melissa Greenspan) to help her return to the jungle. Once back, Eliza helps a rhino being chased by poachers. Sloan Blackburn (voice of Rupert Everett, My Best Friend's Wedding) and Bree Blackburn (voice of Marisa Tomei, Someone Like You) offer to help but then Tim, the Park Ranger (voice of Jeff Coopwood) intervenes. In the meantime Debbie finds out that Eliza escaped from school and goes after her sister when she learns that Eliza is now missing.

Will Eliza risk her powers to save her sister, will the poachers get away and will Darwin get a muzzle?  Well you will have to watch the movie to find out. Other voices in this film were, Kevin Michael Richardson, Obba Babatunde, Alfre Woodard and Brenda Blethyn. I found this movie funny, entertaining and educational. Watch and you will find out how to steer an elephant. I rate The Wild Thornberrys Movie a nine, even for adults.

Last updated: Thursday, March 20, 2008 02:48:19 AM

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