Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Kids (2003) (TV)

User Rating:

4.8/10   

Directors:

Mike Fallows
Kevin McDonagh

Writer:

Nadine Van der Velde (writer)

Release Date:

31 March 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Family

Plot:

The spiders Miss Spider and Holley marry and hatch five spiderlings. When one of them, Squirt, discovers a lost chicken egg, he goes on adventure to return it to his mother.

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Brooke Shields	...	Miss Spider (voice)
Rick Moranis	...	Holley (voice)
Tony Jay	...	Spiderus (voice)
Scott Beaudin	...	Squirt (voice)
Rebecca Brenner	...	Shimmer (voice)
Mary-Frances Buffery	...	Little Miss Spider (voice)
Marc Donato	...	Wiggle (voice)
Aaryn Doyle	...	Pansy / Baby earwig (voice)
Austin Di Iulio	...	Spinner (voice)
Mitchell Eisner	...	Dragon (voice)
Patricia Gage	...	Betty Beetle (voice)
Emily Hampshire	...	Katie (voice)
Alexandra Lai	...	Snowdrop (voice)
Julie Lemieux	...	Bounce (voice)
Scott McCord	...	Stinky (voice)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:G

Company:

Nelvana

Quotes:

Betty Beetle: I didn't know a thing about having a baby spider either. I had to make it all up too. But it doesn't matter if it's baby spiders, beetles, bedbugs or grubs - - everything they need, you have already got right there in your heart, Flora.

Movie Connections:

Followed by "Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Sunny Patch

Wonderfully sweet animation for little ones.

The major complaint reviewers have about this movie is that it is too scary for young kids. Most of the Miss Spider stories are labelled for 4-7 year olds and some even for 5-8 year olds. Keeping this in mind, if people decide to let their 2 or 3 year old watch the DVD, then they shouldn't be surprised the children don't like the movie. It is not aimed primarily at that age group.

I personally don't think it's too scary for my toddler and the pre-schooler I care for. Many Disney movies (Bambi, the Lion King, Brother Bear) contain character deaths, whereas in Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Kids, the villain only threatens to eat the characters. He doesn't actually succeed. He also softens up when he finds a spider to love him.

This brings me to the theme of the movie, that home is with those who love you best. A beautiful theme for young children, especially ones with non-conventional family structure.

The animation is lovely, in my opinion. Bright colours captivate the young ones. And sure, not all the bugs look like bugs do in the real world, but if they did, the movie would truly be too scary. Have you ever taken a close look at insects? Whenever this DVD is played in my house, the children burst into "AGAIN AGAIN" when it's over.