Parents' Guide to

The Moose Movie

By Davis Ryan Cook, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Fact-packed, beautiful nature docu has some animal peril.

Movie PG 2020 47 minutes
The Moose Movie Poster Image

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What's the Story?

As might be predicted from its title, THE MOOSE MOVIE spends a large part of its fifty-minute runtime showing and discussing the various habits that characterize moose around the world. The title doesn't reveal two important pieces of information about the story of the documentary, however: first, the documentary explores a much larger spectrum of animals and insects than just moose; and second, that the documentary follows somewhat of a more defined plot (from one calf's birth to maturity) than most other Curiositystream documentaries. So, along with the usual list-like procession of facts about moose and their environment, expect detailed switches in focus to lynx, foxes, owls, wolverines, and more.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

The Moose Movie provides two twin engines of comprehensive narration and gorgeous audio/video footage to bring the story of moose in the cold northern forests right to your television. Along the general plot of the birth of two moose calves towards one of their maturity (one of them gets caught and killed by a lynx trying to feed her own cubs), the documentary takes its viewers on an enriching guide throughout the wild world of the forests in which moose loom large. Beyond the educational enrichment that such a journey provides, viewers will also get a firsthand seat for some gorgeous video and audio footage of a natural world that most people don't often see.

While a common problem with nature documentaries is that they might be boring for viewers who aren't already interested in the subject matter, The Moose Movie actually manages to be quite engaging because of the engaging story it sets out of following two twin moose calves from birth towards triumph and tragedy. This adds fuel to what is already a powerful twin engine of intellectual edification and aesthetic mastery combined. What's more, the documentary manages to bring in many more species than just moose. In the end, The Moose Movie is a comprehensive and gorgeous look into the lives of moose and the wider world of lynx, wolverines, and more species in which they loom large.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how many of these animals shown interacting with the moose can look so different from humans yet still worry about some of the same problems (getting enough food, conserving energy, etc.). What are some things that you do throughout the day that these other animals do as well?

  • Why are there so many nature documentaries like this one? What do we gain by making and watching nature documentaries?

  • How is watching nature documentaries about all these species better and/or worse in your opinion than going to the zoo to observe them in real time?

Movie Details

  • On DVD or streaming: November 16, 2020
  • Studio: HBO Max
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Run time: 47 minutes
  • MPAA rating: PG
  • Last updated: March 3, 2022

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