Once Upon a Forest (1993) User Reviews

Fuzzy Adventure

[Cylex · 7/10 · 22 June 2001]

A road accident causes poisonous gases to leak into a forest. A young badger's life is at stake. Her three friends, Abigail a tomboyish mouse, Edgar a careful mole and Russell a greedy hedgehog, go to find special herbs that can save her. They have plenty of adventures along the way and learn about courage and working together. There are only three songs in the movie (including end title), but they are worth hearing. Please Wake Up brought tears to my eyes and He's Gone/He's Back is an upbeat gospel number. Once Upon A Time is a nice one to finish with. The characters are likeable and it doesn't get too cute. Children should love it and so will tender-hearted adults. 7/10

Pretty good animation. A good kids' movie.

[Animany94 · 7/10 · 29 January 2018]

I may be 23 years old, but as an animation enthusiast I could not resist watching this animated movie from a time of Disney monopoly on animated features.

I liked most of the movie, the background animation was beautiful, the voice acting was well done and the ending offered a heart-warming pay-off of the rather grim set-up.

Our main characters are these four animal kids called furlings of whom one is poisoned by a gas leaked from a crashed truck. The three remaining furlings must then go out on a mission to find some herbs to cure her.

The three furlings are not overly complex characters, but relatable personalities like a confident leader-type, one who is always scared and one who does more than thinks. It's not bad for a kids' film and I did not find them completely one-dimensional, because they learn throughout the movie.

The musical score by James Horner was pleasant and added so much to each scene. The mood was set very well and along with the backgrounds it was beautiful. The songs was a mixed back to me. "Please Wake Up" was a heart-felt and very moving song, but the next song in the movie, "He's Gone/He's Back, was an odd song sung by characters I really don't know who is. It just seemed to come out of nowhere and slow the pace down.

That was my only complaint about it, and therefore I have saved my favorite part for last. Once Upon a Forest has a very quick but one of the best twists on how Man is portrayed. I won't spoil it, but it was a delight to watch.

A good kids' movie with a lot of heart. I'll recommend it to any family with kids.

an Instant Underrated Animated 90's film!

[sandlot1992 · 6/10 · 3 May 2018]

If you love Don Bluth's "the Secret of the NIMH", then you'll be proud to enjoy this underrated animated film of the 90s! In this underrated animated film I enjoy a while a back when I first seen it on the Disney Channel back in probably the late 90s, the story takes place in Dapplewood which is kinda like your average animated film like "Ferngully: the last rainforest" for instants. three furlings friends, Abigail the wood mouse, Edgar the Mole and Russell the Hedgehog, find their tranquil lives greatly disrupted. then a chemical spill destroyed Dapplewood and their young friend Michelle (voiced by Elizabeth Moss) becomes seriously ill from the toxic fumes. Counting on their own ingenuity and the skills they learn from their teacher Cornelius (Michael Crawford of Broadway's the Phantom of the Opera), they take off on an exciting, but dangerous journey to find help for their friend, Their wisdom soon pays off and they set about to restore Dapplewood to its original splendor.

I would say about this that I always wanted to watch this with my family and friends again and again, the story is good, the animation is so brilliant and stupendous, the characters are remarkable good and the songs are splendid! if your in for a good mood for clever animated family films, then you'll like this one.

best animated film ever

[foxigrl11 · 23 June 2004]

okay i haven't actually seen this movie since i was like 7 but i just spent about 5 hours trying to figure out the name of the movie by using a million different searches because i am that much in love with this movie. i think that every single time my mother brought me to the movie store i rented this movie. as soon as i found the movie i saw pictures and i almost cried. these characters are super adorable and i need to buy this movie. i don't see how any people do not like this movie or think it is about how bad people are. every movie needs a theme and little kids do not really notice things like that. the only thing i really picked up about saving the economy or whatever is that you shouldn't litter or pollute because it can hurt the little animals. i mean are you saying that is a BAD message to send to kids. okay lets tell them we live in a perfect world and so you can ruin it any way you like.that's not cool. i think this is the best animated movie ever made and the message is kind of like fern gully's too but it is way better

Rather depressing but an OK little children's film.

[Shopaholic35 · 6/10 · 3 May 2015]

I will admit that this movie tries to ram an eco message down your throat but it's still super sweet and innocent in a way. The little main characters continue to stay true to themselves even with the truly depressing subject matter. It is quite a bit like FernGully but in my opinion not nearly as good. There isn't as much heart and the concept feels ill thought out. It was just missing that little something special.

Overall it's still quite a nice children's movie but I don't think I would recommend it for children. Maybe back in the 90's it was suitable but today kids have too many other things to worry about. They really need something a little more upbeat that gives them hope for humanity.

Classic Masterpeace cartoon movie !!!

[unitedcba · 6/10 · 15 March 2011]

This movie is for kids and for adults...I enjoyed this movie just like any other recent cartoon or so called animated movies. In simple words "Great entertaining" movie.I had a doubt in my mind before i play this movie just because the year it was released and seems like very much childish movie but this movie has got something for everyone. Simple charterers and simple story just with these things the movie done the best it could. I am happy that I bought DVD of this movie..All money is worth :) Don't think twice to rent this movie or download, u won't be disappointed.

My IMDb Rating : 6/10

Suitable for : PG

Cheers Unitedcba @Movie is my life@

Revival

[rbn_lrk-1 · 7/10 · 31 May 2014]

Nostalgia Critic saying rheumatism was enough to revive this movie.

Nobody knows what forgotten 1990s cartoon the NC will make become alive Again.

I remember seeing this on German TV decades ago.

This is a movie about three critters that must save their dying friends after a Chemical spill.

The three animals meets gospel singing birds and on.

In an old fashioned way the day is saved by these three Young animals.

There are a sad song, and as told hat upbeat gospel song.

This movie laid forgotten for years.

Right along with many other furry movies at that decade.

If you are Lucky enough your TV station might show this movie.

Recommended for fans of lighthearted old school Cartoons.

7/10

An excellent example of environmentalism controlling children again

[SusieSalmonLikeTheFish · 2/10 · 18 November 2014]

Let's see, first there was Ferngully: the Last Rainforest, Captain Planet, Toxic Crusaders, Blinky Bill, and now this thing! Was the 1990's the era of ecophiles or something? If I actually cared about the environment, which I don't (I love polluting things on purpose), I still wouldn't ever be interested in watching this again! Once Upon A Forest is like if you tossed Ferngully and The Secret of N.I.M.H. in a blender together. The "poor little adorable baby animals try to help their friend, who was poisoned by Satanic industrious evil monsters... humans." Huh, I wonder if the movie company feels at all responsible every time a child watches this and then starts asking their mother or father, "Daddy, you drive a car and work in a factory, and mommy, you use pesticides. Are we monsters?" ...Maybe that's a question I'd better let the enviro-freaks answer.

But it wasn't even the environmental propaganda that was as bad as the cheap animation, corny, sappy soundtrack and biased themes! Not to mention it's aimed at little kids, it'll either scare them or bore them but I have yet to meet a kid who cares about saving trees. Kids want entertainment, not greener rainforests and recycled bottles, for crying out loud! And how much plastic was used in all the DVD and VHS copies of this movie? The voice acting, that was just plain weird. It was like a really bad eco-friendly Disney rip-off. I recommend you only watch it for nostalgic value (if you were ever forced to watch it growing up), and show your kids something better, something educational but not brainwashing, or just show them something fun! Kids aren't political scientists, they're not doctors, they're not environmental alarmists, they just want to watch something funny and interesting. Don't subject them to this stuff.

The most emotional and lovely film that I can remember

[QueenEofHistory · 10/10 · 15 May 2005]

I remember when I was about five or six years old that me and my younger sister used to rent out this film quite often and watch it all the time until we had to return it. Although I could not remember the title of the film until I saw it many years later, I would often remember the characters because I felt that I understood them and loved them to pieces. My sister's favourite scene was the 'He's Back' because she found the gospel singing hilariously funny though I can't actually remember what my favourite scene was. When I watched it for the first time in like five or six years, it brought back all the lovely memories and scenes and just wish it got more of the recognition it deserved and that I wish it was brought back on TV for younger children to watch and enjoy, I also think that the video and DVD should be brought back onto shelves so that people who did enjoy the film can enjoy it again. The singing I also thought was wonderful, it would be another five or six years for me to realise that the person who sang 'Please Wake Up' was the person who made me laugh my head off in BBC sitcom 'Some Mother's Do 'Ave 'Em'. Overall, this film deserves 10 out of 10 and more recognition!

Good characters, bad theme

[tomfullam-91507 · 5/10 · 3 April 2024]

The characters are great, but the film's environmental theme is not so great. The film needs a better theme. Calling humans careless to the wildlife is so negative to the humans, so it needs a new theme that's not environmental themed because environmental themed movies are so negative so yeah it needs a new theme. It needs a new story different than this one so yeah great characters but terrible theme. If you going to do a story about the furlings then don't make it environmental themed that would be terrible so change the theme of the story so the film can be better don't do it wrong. Just don't.

I LOVE this movie, though if anything I wish it was 5 minutes longer...

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 26 May 2009]

I personally think that Once Upon a Forest is an underrated gem. I mean this is one of the few animations that had me weeping buckets at the end, and I am a 17 year old schoolgirl. My only complaint is that at 68 minutes long, it is a little too short, but putting that discrepancy aside what you have is a beautiful, poignant film. The animation is stunning with beautiful backgrounds and excellent character animation, and I absolutely loved the songs by James Horner. Please Wake up, had me in tears,(the only other song in an animation that did that to me was Somewhere Out There from American Tail) and I know the vocals were a bit shaky but that can be forgiven as that is such an emotional song to sing, and it did say in the trivia that Michael Crawford found it very difficult not to be moved by the song. He's Gone/He's Back is an upbeat gospel song that provides the funniest moments in the film, and Once Upon a Time is so lovely with sublime vocals by Florence Warner Jones. The characters are a delight, particularly the wise Cornelius, and the three furling friends are very well done, with enthusiastic voice work from all involved. Both Ferngully and this were heavily criticised on release for being too preachy, but to me, both are wonderful overlooked films. Whereas Once Upon a Forest has slightly better songs(as I really liked the ones in FernGully) and better character development, one of FernGully's main merits is the villain Hexxus who terrified me when I was 9, and Tim Curry is one of the gods of voice acing and made Hexxus as chilling as people remember him. Once Upon a Forest has a number of enemies portrayed, like the yellow dragons, the owl and the gas, and I must say they were very well done. In conclusion, a beautiful underrated movie, and my main advice to those who haven't seen it, have a box of tissues beside you as this is bound to bing you tears. 9/10 Bethany Cox.

The greatest disaster in animation history!!

[stephenchase-63504 · 1/10 · 8 February 2021]

Very sad and ugly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not bad

[carizma36 · 25 July 2002]

I saw this movie a few days ago for the first time since I was a very young child. I can say that I remember it, but, watching it again for the first time in several years, each scene made a new and different impression on me than it did the first time I watched it.

If I had blindly seen this movie for the first time, I would give an irritated comment. But I can remember what I thought as a six year old, and my sister remembers the same things. My much younger sister loves it as much as my sister and I did, and I can safely say that it doesn't instill any absurdities in a child. Truly, this film has no shades of gray, only black and white. But young children can't understand that many shades of gray, and no connection is made between (possible spoiler) the 'bad humans' in the movie and their own loving family.

If you're looking for an entertaining movie for your kids, I recommend that you rent "Once Upon a Forest". However, I don't recommend that you watch it with your kids, as, I'm certain, it will irritate the heck out of you.

Well meaning and with slightly more subtlety than contemporaries of its time, but suffers from jarring tonal shifts and overly loose story structure

[IonicBreezeMachine · 5/10 · 25 February 2023]

In the forest of Dapplewood, four "furlings" (what the animals call children) wood mouse Abigail (Ellen Blain), mole Edgar (Benji Gregory), hedgehog Russell (Paige Gosney), and badger Michelle (Elisabeth Moss) go to school to learn from their teacher and Michelle's uncle Cornelius (Michael Crawford). When a truck carrying poison gas careens of the road it causes a chemical spill with the gas destroying the forest and killing what animals are unfortunate enough to be in the vicinity. In a panic Michelle runs to find her parents but is poisoned by the gas but saved from instantly fatal exposure by Abigail. With time running out Cornelius sends Abigail, Edgar, and Russell out to find special herbs that can heal Michelle but only within the next two days.

Once Upon a Forest is a 1993 animated film which itself was part of a wave of environmentally themed projects. Conceived in 1989 by ITV Cymru Wales graphic design head Rae Lambert, the project began as a pitch by Lambert to Hanna-Barbera called A Furling's Story as a possible TV movie. Hanna-Barbera approved the project under the working title The Endangered but eventually David Kirschner who had produced Don Bluth's breakout success An American Tail came on board with the project retooled as a theatrical film instead of a TV film, much like what had happened with American Tail. A large scale international production, the film was subject to budget limitations and time constraints resulting in ten minutes of footage deleted in order to make its deadline including excising a swan character whose lines were recorded by Glenn Close. Upon release the film opened in eight place behind several prominent blockbusters including Jurassic Park and saw itself fade from theaters within two weeks. Critics tended to look unfavorably upon the film with many describing it as "bland" while acknowledging it had its heart in the right place. Of the mainstream American produced environmental animated films from that time Once Upon a Forest does get its message across clearer than say Ferngully, but it's also less memorable and engaging and takes some very strange turns that aren't always in its favor.

The movie follows a pretty standard framework per the standards set for this type of story. Be it Watership Down or The Secret of NIMH you're well aware of this kind of "hero's Journey" quest narrative that is part and parcel to many children's/family adventure films, this one included. Normally I try to avoid talking about the framework and put more emphasis on the characters and interactions because that's where the real "meat" is to a story like this, but there really isn't much to these characters as they're basically placeholders who are there to go through these episodes rather than develop along with them. Despite the voice actors doing a competent job playing the furlings there's really not all that much to their characters as they basically fall into the standard kid's movie archetypes of plucky tomboy, fat one, and nerd with that pretty much being where their characterization begins and ends. I guess maybe some of the supporting characters make a greater impression, but I can't really say in a positive way. Cornelius for instance is supposed to be this wise mentor figure, but the fact he doesn't ask the furlings to go on this journey and orders them to do it really puts his character in a questionable moral position where he's willing to risk their lives for the life of his niece. Then we also have weird tangents like a lengthy sequence where our three characters get involved with a flock of birds whose leader Phineas speaks like a preacher and features not one but two songs in the style of Black Gospel and it's very odd and nonsensical and if you were to cut it out nothing would change about this story aside from being the proper length for the TV movie it was originally intended to be.

I guess the animation is okay in parts at least, some of the computer assisted scenes involving an ornithopter type device look reasonably impressive, but most of the animation is very economical and simple without many standout moments and the character designs feel bland and uninspired. But I will say that the environmental message is handled much better here than it was in Ferngully. Unlike Ferngully where it took a very "black & white" approach to the issue by including a literal pollution demon played by Tim Curry, Once Upon a Forest keeps itself relatively grounded and doesn't broadbrush all of humanity or give the easy out of "magic pollution villain". The threat that comes to Dapplewood comes from negligence and carelessness rather than malicious intent, and while there is some human callousness there are also showcases of humans trying to care for the environment so it is conveying a more balanced take on this issue. It's just a shame it couldn't make a story and characters that were more engaging and had more stakes.

Once Upon a Forest is pretty harmless all things considered and in terms of conveying its message it doesn't "magic" its way out of the harsh truths in the way Ferngully did so it does that well. The biggest problem is just in how indistinct the movie is because it takes a well trodden formula plot but stops at the bare minimum without creating memorable leads or a satisfying story progression. It's perfectly serviceable for small children but I don't it'll linger with them.

I don't get what's being said

[waybourne · 10/10 · 7 April 2004]

I'll give you that "Once Upon a Forest" is kind of an eco-toon. But I really don't think so. It's far more about the journey of the furlings; of them becoming adults. The poisonous gas is just a plot-device to make the trip necessary. And it was the result of an *accident*, not an intentional evil.

SPOILERS

And, in the end, humans come and clean up the mess. The only adult character, the only anti-human character, is amazed and awed. I think that directly contradicts the "humans are bad" message people are complaining about.

I cried like a baby at the end of this, when I was 8

[janefondafan · 10/10 · 30 November 2002]

I'll always remember the first time I saw this film, in late 1993 when I was 8 years old. This film was really the first film to ever have a large impact on me. Up until then, I had been mainly unaffected by fast, fun, feel-good kids movies with happy endings. This one was different... the ending was only semi-happy and I cried like a baby. Sure, I was only 8 years old... but that was the first time I had cried at the ending of a movie (and the last time, until I viewed "dancer in the dark" a few months ago). Needless to say, this is a very powerful film about family, friendship, and guilt. I'm quite surprised this only has an average rating of 4.7/10 from IMDB users. This film is much better than animated films like "Fantasia" and "Shrek" which have a much higher rating from IMDB users. Sure, it's not as flashy, but it has so much more to say. I think some users are too ignorant/cold-hearted to appreciate what this film has to offer. It's not a cheesy film in the slighest. Anyone with a heart should appreciate its power.

An underrated classic!

[Weather_lord_7 · 9/10 · 6 November 2006]

OK, I'll say this now, this is one of the best animated films I've ever seen in my life. The question I have to ask is, WHY IS IT SO HARD TO FIND FILMS LIKE THIS? It has all kinds of stuff that makes an animation good, drama, a laugh or two, and peril. Why does everyone give this classic a 4 to 0 out of 10?!!!? That being said, this is basically an eco-toon, in which a poison is leaked into the village of Dapplewood, and it's up to 3 little "furlings" to find a flower to cure their sick friend, whose parents were tragically killed by the gas. Lots of people say that his makes humans look like the villain, they've obviously never saw the ending. This FernGully/Secret Of NIMH classic gets two thumbs up from me.

a GOOD "trauma"

[luizescalco · 9/10 · 25 May 2020]

This movie scared me as a kid. I probably only watched it a couple of time but message stuck with me for life. The movie portraits the consequences of human activity in the forest in such a intense and powerful way. It is indeed a dark story that probably traumatizes a kid a little bit, but in a good way. The overly light tone of today's animated films are nice but not as effective education-wise in the long term. Anyways, it is not a movie I enjoyed watching as a kid just because of its dark tone, but I get why it was done this way. I give it a good review because it is memorable. It is hard to remember a movie by the way you felt when watching it. There is value in that.

Excellent Movie

[hugh750 · 10/10 · 22 July 2006]

I Haven't seen this movie over 10 years (i'm 40) but i always loved it. I know everyone has a right to their own opinion. But i don't know why this movie keeps getting a fairly low reviews. And for a g rated movie it has a pretty dark story. but it does have cute heroes and wonderful music. And i'm happy to find it on DVD. It does have a good message in the story about protecting the environment and how pollution effects all that lives in that environment. And when some animated movies are violent (not all are though). I hope you enjoy it has much as i do. They do need to make a sequel to it. And bring back the characters. Ether as adults or as they where in the first movie as children.

A flawed, but completely underrated children's film from the 90s

[gavin-thelordofthefu-48-460297 · 8/10 · 7 February 2013]

After I grew up in the 90s, I watched some of my favorite childhood stuff (The Lion King, The Swan Princess, etc.), but I never heard of this film before although it did came out before I was born the following year. Years later, at elementary school, I watched it with some of my friends at class and I think it was pretty good. OK, it's not as excellent as some of Disney's great films, but I think this is completely underrated for a children's film.

Sure, there are some moments that could easily frighten younger kids and the fact that it could've been a little bit longer, but these two flaws are easily overcomed by it's beautiful animation and some great characters. Abigail, Russell, Edgar, and Michelle are likable furlings and some of the minor characters are fine. Cornelius, however, is by far my favorite character thanks to Michael Crawford's excellent voice work. In fact, the voice acting is pretty good for a non-Disney film released in the 90s. The musical songs aren't the best, but they're tolerable enough to listen to especially (Please Wake Up sung by Michael Crawford).

Overall, Once Upon A Forest may be flawed, but I think that this is completely underrated and I think people would give this a chance. Besides, I didn't understand all the hatred it had on rottentomatoes.

This one is still touching to me

[greasemeyer · 8/10 · 25 December 2008]

I wish movies like these were still made.

Usually, animated movies like these don't find my favor, neither do I remember them very long. However, there's something about this one that somehow touches my heart. I first saw this video when I was about 8 years old, maybe a little older, 10 at the most. Years later, My younger brother, about 9, wanted to watch this video. I was 16 then, and at first, I had no interest in watching the movie. But then I remembered watching it years ago, and thought, oh, what the heck, I'm not doing anything today. So I watched it. Things that I paid no attention to when I was young I now watched closely. The introduction, transitions, quality of the video, the story, and reality of the video and characters. Even though this video is over 15 years old, it still had exceptionally good quality for a VHS tape. The characters are so real, you like them instantly. When I say real, I mean being able to tell the difference between a male and a female mouse, badger, and other critters that were in this movie. The young furlings start out as typical kids, mischievous and selfish. This leads to a few minor consequences. Eventually, they realize the danger and the reality of the real world out there, for example, the road. Now, I could get picky and say the car, tanker truck, "Yellow Dragons", and the humans did not look very realistic, but hey! This video isn't based on those things, so why judge the movie by that?

When Michelle falls sick, the other young furlings realize the need to work together, get along, share, obey rules, and never give up. The songs, especially "Please Wake Up" were very touching, and even brought tears to my eyes. I liked how the furlings learned to respect their elders, so to speak, such as Uncle Cornelias, who was very wise. They balanced to movie very well with suspense and action.

The end brought tears to my eyes once again, as it was very touching. It is an animated film and yet it brings out the reality of life. The only few things I would have done differently are these:

1. If I was uncle Cornelius, I would have been much more upset with the furlings after they did foolish things, especially, when it ruins long periods of work. 2. It would have been nice to see Abigail with Willy again, since they liked each other. I thought for sure he would return to the picture towards the end, but never saw him. 3. It was really sad to leave Michelle without a Mommy or Daddy.

Those are the only things I would have done differently. Like I said, I wish Fox still made good movies like this one. The new animated movies have much better graphics, but the stories usually aren't the greatest, and they tend to add humor and content that isn't really appropriate for children.

One of the best children's movies I have seen.

[brighteyes1968 · 10/10 · 3 January 2007]

One of the best children's movies I have seen. It teaches children to care for the animals. And if adults paid attention they could learn from it also. Things like this happen every day with chemical spills & animals have to suffer. If every company took care of things like this when it happened like they do in this movie, everyone would be better off. Anyone who does not understand this movie did not pay attention to it. My children were watching this when they were 4 & 5 years old & they understood it then & they still love it today. I will gladly play this movie for my Grandchildren when they are old enough to understand its' meaning. I hope everyone that watches this movie will pay close attention & follow the guidelines that it sets out for a cleaner environment & happier lives.

brilliant

[varsitycheerleader8807 · 10/10 · 20 February 2008]

i first saw this movie when i was about 9 yrs old. i fell in love. it captured my imagination and because of it i respect my environment. every child should see this movie. little skunk, Michelle, captured my heart when she woke up and didn't know what was going on. the other "furlings" were so courageous and brave for her and taught my brothers and i how to act to our friends. also, the children who watch this movie will learn about how human beings are killing the animals with poison. this movie and the movie "fern gully" both show kids how to respect their environment. if i had kids, i would want them to watch these kinds of movies over other titles out there.

I think this film is one of the best animated films EVER!

[emma_crawfordgreene · 10/10 · 6 August 2003]

I first saw this film cause I am great admirer of Mr. Michael Crawford and his work and I wanted to see how he did in this animated film. He was just phenomenal (as he usually is ;-) but I was also touched by the sweetness of the film and the characters. The other performers in the film were just as good and deserving of their roles as Mr. Crawford was. I thought the story had more heart and kindness in it than any of the animated movies I had seen such as "Shrek", "Fantasia", "Finding Nemo" and so on. This was an original story and I loved it. I was in suspense watching it, I couldn't leave the room I was so engrossed in it.

From the bottom of my heart to those people that designed and directed the film, and to the actors and to Mr. Crawford - BRAVO!! ENCORE!!

Emma

Childhood memories

[sml1452 · 10/10 · 20 September 2011]

I used to watch this film as a young child at my aunt's house! Such wonderful memories. I was so thrilled to find it on DVD, so that I could watch it whenever I wanted to and share it with my children someday! I love the emotional theme behind it and the beautiful, calming music. I am sure that some will criticize this film as "too environmental," but there is so much more to the film. Yes, there is the element of humans ruining nature, but there are also the more prevalent themes of friendship, unconditional love, courage, strength, and teamwork that happen to be centered around animals battling a deadly, human-caused force. Don't let your fears about it being too environmental impede you from viewing a classic, adorable tale about friendship that will provoke many deep thoughts (even in adults).