Year: 2002
Runtime: 85 min
Language: English
Directors: Cathy Malkasian, Jeff McGrath
Budget: $25M
Embarking on a journey across Africa, the Thornberry family faces a thrilling challenge. Twelve-year-old Eliza unexpectedly discovers she can communicate with animals, a secret that puts her at odds with her family’s wildlife documentary work. When ruthless poachers target endangered elephants, Eliza must decide whether to reveal her extraordinary ability to save the animals and their habitat, aided by her mischievous chimpanzee companion, Darwin.
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As Eliza Thornberry (/actor/eliza-thornberry) enjoys carefree days frolicking with a family of cheetahs in Kenya, her life takes a thrilling turn when poachers kidnap one of the cubs named Tally. Driven by a fierce determination to rescue the little cub, she is suddenly whisked away to a prestigious boarding school in London by her grandmother, Cordelia (/actor/cordelia). However, her plan goes awry when she discovers her beloved sidekick, Darwin the chimpanzee (/actor/darwin), has stowed away in her suitcase, leading to a series of comical mishaps.
After experiencing a vivid dream in which Shaman Mnyambo urges her to save Tally, Eliza and Darwin set off on an audacious journey back to Africa. Traveling by train from Nairobi, they come across a wounded male rhinoceros, its horn barbarically shot off by the same heartless poachers behind Tally’s abduction. With the invaluable assistance of veterinarians Bree (/actor/bree) and Sloan Blackburn (/actor/sloan-blackburn), they successfully rehabilitate the magnificent creature.
Meanwhile, back in the Thornberry family’s RV, known as the Comvee, Eliza’s older sister Debbie (/actor/debbie) struggles to manage their unruly adoptive younger brother Donnie (/actor/donnie) while their parents, Nigel (/actor/nigel) and Marianne (/actor/marianne), are away capturing breathtaking footage of a solar eclipse in Tempo Valley. When Eliza returns to the Comvee for supplies, Debbie launches herself into a pursuit, intent on catching up with her adventurous sister.
As the whole Thornberry family inches closer to Eliza’s location, an encounter with an orphaned gorilla hints at a dark scheme unfolding in Tempo Valley. Upon reuniting with the Blackburns, she quickly realizes that the poachers have set their sights on an elephant herd migrating through the valley. The narrative thickens when Eliza comes across Tally, now a captive and worn-out creature, stashed away in the Blackburns’ RV, illuminating their true intentions as malicious poachers.
Amidst the chaos, as the Blackburns unveil their sinister electrified fence, a desperate Debbie finds herself cornered by Sloan, who will go to great lengths to silence her. In a moment of vulnerability, Eliza admits that her unique ability to communicate with animals helped her to uncover their wicked plan. This revelation incites Sloan’s fury, especially as a torrential storm approaches, stripping Eliza of her powers just as the poachers scatter in panic.
As the Blackburns’ helicopter hovers ominously over Tempo Valley, Eliza stands before a magnificent herd of elephants racing towards the electric fence. Reassured by Debbie’s encouraging words, Eliza regains her confidence, recalling all the animals she has helped over time. Foiling the Blackburns’ plan to scare the elephants into charging at the fence, she mistakenly triggers its electricity too soon, temporarily halting the herd’s advance. With determination, she persuades the lead elephant to turn back, prompting Sloan to lose control and throw Eliza into a raging river. Enraged by her defiance, he attempts to gun down the elephants, but they respond by toppling the Blackburns’ helicopter, sending both Sloan and Bree crashing to the ground. Just as the authorities arrive to apprehend the treacherous pair after the eclipse concludes, Eliza narrowly escapes a watery fate, thanks to the timely intervention of Shaman Mnyambo. He tells her that her selfless actions to protect the elephants sprang from her heart, rather than her powers, rewarding her with the restoration of her abilities.
When she finally reunites with her family, they collectively decide against sending her back to boarding school, while Boko returns to his village, keeping Debbie’s watch as a cherished keepsake. The Thornberrys head back to their home in the Savannah, where Eliza joyfully reunites with Tally and his family. Yet, Debbie becomes infuriated when Eliza shares that disclosing her secret could turn her into a baboon, inadvertently alarming a nearby gathering of primates that Nigel and Marianne are filming. Amidst the ensuing chaos, one curious primate inadvertently activates a radio, igniting the atmosphere with lively music, prompting the Thornberrys and their new primate companions to dance in spirited harmony.
Last Updated: November 21, 2024 at 10:07
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Whimsical journeys where heroes and animals share a special bond.If you enjoyed the unique bond between Eliza and her animal friends in The Wild Thornberrys Movie, you'll love these other animated adventures. Discover movies where characters share secrets with animals, leading to exciting quests, comedic moments, and uplifting stories about friendship and conservation perfect for family movie night.
Stories in this thread typically feature a protagonist, often a child, who discovers a magical ability to talk to animals. This unique talent propels them into an adventure where they must use their gift to solve a problem, often involving saving animals or their habitat from a clear threat. The journey is one of self-discovery and empowerment, blending light peril with consistent humor and camaraderie.
Movies are grouped here based on the core fantasy element of human-animal communication, a fast-paced and whimsical tone, and a focus on family-friendly action and humor. They share an adventurous spirit, a hopeful outlook, and a light emotional weight, making the viewing experience consistently uplifting and playful.
Uplifting adventures where kids take a stand to protect nature.Fans of Eliza Thornberry's courageous mission will enjoy these movies about young heroes on a quest to protect nature. Find similar animated and live-action adventures where kids use their wits and determination to fight poachers, polluters, or other threats, delivering spirited, fast-paced stories with an uplifting and hopeful feel.
The narrative pattern involves a young character witnessing an ecological threat—such as poaching or habitat destruction—and feeling compelled to act, often against the wishes of unaware adults. The journey tests their resolve and ingenuity, involving chases, rescues, and a final confrontation with the antagonists. The arc culminates in a victory that reinforces the importance of conservation and the power of youth activism.
These movies share a cohesive vibe defined by a fast pace, medium intensity, and a fundamentally hopeful tone. They are united by the theme of youth empowerment in environmentalism, a straightforward plot where good triumphs over evil, and a light emotional touch that makes serious themes accessible for a younger audience.
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