Animal Crackers Parent Review with Discussion Questions written by the Hobbit on 7/25/2020 This post contains affiliate links, you can find out more on our policies page or in the disclaimer at the bottom of the blog.
Know Before You Watch:
Movie: Animal Crackers
(Made in 2017 but not released until 2020 by Netflix Family)
Rating: PG/ TV-Y7
Age Suggestion: 5+
Running Time: 1 hr 45 min
Release Date: 7/24/2020
Themes: Family, Greed, Magic
Warnings: While there is nothing inherently offensive or frightening, there are some scenes that might scare younger viewers. It’s overall a really clean, family-friendly watch.
Animal Crackers Quick Summary:
Owen grew up in the circus, but is in a dead end job when he finds out he has inherited his uncle Bob’s circus. The circus was famous for fantastic animal tricks. His other uncle Horatio wants the circus – and the secret of the animal tricks – and is willing to do anything to get them. Can Owen save the circus from his uncle Horatio? Scott Christian Sava wrote Animal Crackers as a graphic novel and also turned it into a screenplay.
Why Watch Animal Crackers?
“Animal Crackers” is primarily a kid’s movie and it is one that you can safely let the kids watch by themselves. Their is very little in the movie that could be considered even slightly objectionable, and most kids up to the pre-teen level will have fun watching. Of course, we always suggest that you watch with your kids. When you do so with “Animal Crackers”, the strength is stressing family. When choices are made, the choice is made in favor of family. And, while this movie is definitely aimed at kids, it definitely has a couple of thought provoking and funny moments for adults.
Animal Crackers Discussion Questions:
(1) You get to see a lot of different animals in this movie. What were a couple of your favorites? If you could turn into an animal what would it be? Why?
(2) Sometimes clowns can be scary. Were Chesterfield and the other clowns scary or friendly? What do you think about circuses and clowns after watching the movie?
(3) From the very beginning we see that Horatio only thinks about himself. Why do you think this is such a bad thing? Horatio is not only selfish, he is full of pride. Late in the movie he claims to be “a god’”. How does this pride affect all of those around him?
Animal Crackers Parent Review:
*SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT*
-Characters & Voice Acting–
A few of the characters are well rounded, but most tend to be stereotypical. This is again in line with this being a kid’s movie. The voice acting features a number of well known actors as well as many professional voice actors, so the overall quality of the “acting” is good. There will be SOOO many voices you’ll recognize! (IMBD list here) The animation is not Pixar but was well done for a low budget film.
-Script & Story–
There is a lot of effort in building the backstory. However, elements of the story are predictable (most adults will figure out what happened to Bob and Talia early on, for example). The story will appeal to kids and they are the intended audience.
-Full Animal Crackers Summary-
The brothers Horatio and Bob run a circus. They both fall in love with Tali, but when Bob and Talia announce their marriage Horatio gives Bob an ultimatum – stick with him or marry Talia. He chooses to marry Talia and they form a new circus, known for amazing animal tricks. There Bob’s nephew Owen meets and falls in love with Zoe. Zoe is in line to take over her father’ dog biscuit company, so Owen leaves the circus to take a position with her father.
Years later Owen and Zoe have a daughter. Owen is stuck tasting the dog biscuits, but with one of his colleagues is trying to build a machine to make flavored dog biscuits. They are being sabotaged by Brock, who wants to be the one selected to run the company. Meanwhile there is a fire at the circus and Bob and Talia are missing and presumed dead.
At the funeral Horatio shows up to try and take over the
circus. Owen is given a box of animal crackers and discovers that when you eat one of the crackers you turn into that animal! He is reluctant to use these, but at the urging of Chesterfield, the clown, Zoe quits her job to rebuild the circus. Will they be successful? Can Zoe get her father on board?Will Horatio be able to get his hands on the magical crackers?
–Favorite Moments–
The emphasis on family, how the central family loves each other no matter what, and how Zoe takes over and is the driving force in rebuilding the circus.
-Final Thoughts–
My favorite human to animal story is Eustace in Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and I thought about the lessons Eustace learned when stuck as a dragon as I was watching Owen being stuck in animal form. Although very different, it showed some of the same emotional responses. It’s not Pixar, but it does have some touching moments, is about as clean as a movie can get, and is worth a watch. Kids will probably want to tune in again.
What to check out next:
If you enjoyed our Animal Crackers Parent Review, Check out these other posts!
-Our list of Family Friendly Netflix Watches!!
–Scoob Movie Review
–3 Lessons from the Willoughbys
–You vs. Wild Review (Interactive)
–Carmen Sandiego Review (Interactive)
–3 Lessons from Trolls World Tour
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