Review

Mia and the Migoo

Common Sense Media says

Magical realism adventure promotes family, environmentalism.
Age
6
Quality
 
  • Educational value1
    Although this isn't an educational film, it does pose questions about global warming and protecting nature against greed and development.
  • Positive messages3
    The movie's messages about the environment are more alarming than they are positive, but it's still an important lesson to learn about global climate change. There are also less environmental and more personal messages about the importance of father-child relationships and why it's emotional support and attention -- not money or status -- that make a good father.
  • Positive role models2
    Mia and her father, Pedro, are great examples of a daughter dedicated to her father and of a father who loves his daughter unconditionally. They provide a perfect contrast to Aldrin and his father -- who for most of the movie is more focused on a business deal than his own son.
  • Violence & scariness2
    Aldrin's father is cruel and greedy in his pursuit of developing the tropical island. He uses fancy weapons that he gets from an impressive arsenal -- including rocket-propelled grenades -- to blow up the tree. Explosions alter the landscape and cause the sky to turn an ominous black. A father is trapped in an underground tunnel and presumed dead by various people.
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this animated adventure focuses on two things being saved: the environment from corporate greed and a young girl's father from a dire situation. There's some violence -- as evidenced by a businessman who's armed to the teeth with advanced weapons that he plans to use against nature. The language never gets too salty but does include "stupid," "shut up," and similar insults, and there's some brief pushing and shoving and threats made by construction workers who hate their boss. Ultimately the movie's message is pro-nature and pro-family, but there's also some sorcery and magical creatures, which might not be a good fit for families sensitive to those sorts of characters.

This review of Mia and the Migoo was written by
Age
6
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 67% say it's educational
  • 67% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say violence is an issue
  • 33% say there are positive role models
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Most useful reviews by all members

Parent of 8 year old
April 23, 2011
6
OK for kids & up
 
wow - this is a beautiful movie - highly recommend
The animation is simply breathtaking, with visible brushstrokes, like a moving painting. The story has a great moral message about family and also the importance of nature. The main charactrer of Mia is a strong, brave, self-possessed girl, determined but not haughty, a perfect role model. This movie is definitely worth seeing.
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Parent of an infant
August 7, 2012
5
OK for kids & up
 
good review
very good good story
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Adult
September 7, 2012
7
OK for kids & up
 
An interesting film
This movie is gorgeous, has a generally nice story and a strong role model. Unfortunately, this movie as far as characters are concerned is like Pocahontas with slightly more effort. Mia's a great role model for young girls. She faces all kinds of odds and makes friends with everyone through her kindness and bravery. Unfortunately, that's all there is too her. She's not interesting. She undergoes no character arc, no major changes, she's just herself and that's it. The Migoo suffer from the same problem as Aishling from Secret of Kells: They're very entertaining and could be the best characters in the film but only get about 10-15 minutes worth of screentime. However, while Aishling was well fleshed-out, these guys aren't. The film tries to make them interesting but gives them way too much story and way too little time to work with it. However, what makes this film better than Pocahontas is the father and the son. They are so interesting and it's even better that the film puts most of its focus on them as they were the only people I cared about completely in this movie. There is so much depth to them, they're so relate-able, their relationship is handled so well that I don't understand why they're not the title characters. Clearly this movie is more about them than the little girl and her forest spirit friends! All in all, it's a good film and I do recommend checking it out, just don't set your expectations too high when it comes to the story. This is more worth checking out for its visuals.
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