The Tigers Apprentice Review by the Ent. 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: The Tiger’s Apprentice
Rating: PG
Genre: Action, Adventure, Animated
Length: 1 hr. 24 mins.
Age suggested: 8 and up
Release Date: February 2nd, 2024
Warnings: Bullying, Loss of family member, intense action scenes
The Tiger’s Apprentice Summary
Based on the Book by Laurence Yep, The Tiger’s Apprentice is about a 15 year old boy named Tom who gets bullied at school for how weird his house is/looks. Whenever he talks to his grandmother about it, she says that they are important, but won’t tell him why. This all changes when one day, Tom shows a unique ability at school. This causes unknown forces to target him and a whole new world is shown to him.
The Tigers Apprentice Review
The Tiger’s Apprentice tells a simple story of sacrifice and redemption. Tom’s grandmother sacrifices herself to save her family. These leaves Tom, who is completely untrained, in a where he feels he must redeem himself for his grandma, but with no concept of how to use his powers. This is where Mr. Hu comes in. Although we really don’t get a huge backstory on him, we can tell right off the bat that he doesn’t tend to get along well with others, especially his fellow protectors. Mr. Hu becomes de facto mentor for Tom and both characters must develop and learn through that process.
The other mentors play a fun role within the film, but nothing too deep. The other biggest character is Loo, the evil empress who is dead set on taking the powers left with Tom. The ultimate faceoff at the end is quite intense, which happens pretty quick as the total runtime of the film is only about 1 hr 12 minutes without credits (Although there is a credit scene that is definitely worth watching). Overall, The Tiger’s Apprentice is a pretty straightforward story and has some good, funny, and poignant moments sprinkled throughout.
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Is The Tiger’s Apprentice Appropriate?
The Tiger’s Apprentice starts off with Tom being bullied at school, but Tom does get the upper hand. The Tiger’s Apprentice contains a fair amount of intense action scenes and violence. Although this is done in a cartoon style, it may be intense for very young viewers. During one of the first fight scene’s, Tom’s grandmother sacrifices herself to save him. This is an emotional moment that continues to be felt throughout the rest of the film.
A Note for Adoptive/Foster Parents
There is a subplot where Tom’s friend, Rav, is a foster child who has been placed in a new home that she is enjoying. Later it is revealed that her foster mom is the villain of our story, Loo. Once Loo is revealed as the villain, her demeanor towards Rav drastically changes and she treats her very poorly. This could be very triggering for any kids with trauma regarding the foster system.
Continue reading for more of The Tigers Apprentice Review and Discussion Questions
Favorite The Tiger’s Apprentice Quotes
This bully at school, he needs your compassion because he himself was probably hurt at some point.
People are inherently good, Tom. Our family has always believed this.
The Ghost Cart comes to carry away the souls of the great and the noble.
You walk two worlds now. The mortal world and the world of magic.
Not everything is what it seems, kid.
The power of the Phoenix is the greatest in this universe.
In the right hands, it creates and in the wrong hands, it destroys.
I get that you’re like old-school, but it’s okay to have emotions.
-The Tiger’s Apprentice Quotes
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The Tiger’s Apprentice Discussion Questions
Themes to Discuss: Sacrifice, Redemption, Purpose, and Revenge
- Which character did you like the most and why?
- Have you ever had a bully at school? If so, how did you handle that situation?
- How are both Tom and Mr. Hu different from the beginning of the movie to the end?
- How does Rav show that just because one’s family is evil it doesn’t mean you have to be?
- If you could use their magic to turn into any animal, which one would you pick?
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