 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Frogs and Toads: Max's Magical Journey
- Review Date: February 15, 2012
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Sweet Dutch adventure story follows kids exploring nature.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this Dutch children's film is a sweet nature adventure story without any problematic elements. There are three silly moments where Max's grandmother passes gas, and a brief moment where Jesse rises from squatting in a field and pulls her pants up, obviously having finished just going to the bathroom. All in all though, for younger viewers keen on amphibians, and parents looking for a mild and pleasant family movie, this should be an enjoyable experience.
What's the story?
Before he leaves for the hospital for throat surgery, Jannus (Thijs Goedknegt) tells his younger brother Max (Nino den Brave) that he must retrieve frog spawn in a jar in order to ensure that Jannus can talk again. This leads Max on a wild adventure from the city hospital to the countryside, where he befriends a little girl named Jesse (Whitney Franker). Together, they see cows, pigs, foxes, frogs, toads, and bear tracks.
Is it any good?
In spite of the slight cultural differences and the English overdubbing of the children's voices, FROGS AND TOADS: MAX'S MAGICAL JOURNEY is a fun and nature-filled adventure, especially for young kids interested in amphibians and other creatures seen in the wild or on farms. The story is easy to understand, silly at times, and imparts important lessons about caring for animals, and also telling the truth to your friends and family.
Parents be aware: This film is way more comfortable with flatulence than most children's films you've seen. It doesn't happen much (once at the beginning and twice at the end), but if you're child is finding these kinds of things hysterically funny, they might get wrapped up in the humor of the moment rather than the story itself.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what happens when you don't tell the truth. Max's older brother Jannus tells him that he needs frog spawn so he can talk again. Max tells Jesse that he's an orphan. What happens to these two when they are caught not telling the truth?
How is this movie different from children's movies made in the United States, and elsewhere? How could you tell is was made outside the United States?
What do Max and Jesse learn about all the different animals they meet along the way? Do you learn anything from watching this movie?
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Definitely worth the time
The story is quirky and the songs are... well, best enjoyed by kids, but my two (7 and 4) love this movie! We've streamed it several times and they sing along every time. It's a very gentle story but still compelling to little ones.
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| Topics: | brothers and sisters, wild animals |
| Studio: | Phase 4 Films |
| Director: | Simone van Dusseldorp |
| Cast: | Nino den Brave, Thijs Goedknegt, Whitney Franker |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 70 minutes |
| DVD release date: | July 5, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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