Poetic, warm musical about self-discovery is exceptional.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
some
Empty syrup containers in some scenes indicate drinking. Main character drinks a carton of maple syrup, leading to stomach sickness and hands shaking, implying alcoholism. He eventually recovers and feels better.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.
Characters fall in love and separate after growing apart. They each shed a tear of sadness. The town is devastated by fire after the main characters argue and sparks fly, but all come together to restore it, with a focus on starting over and healing together. Some visuals during the "Old Badger" song may seem dark to younger kids. In one scene, a character symbolically contemplates a cliff, hinting at contemplating death.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
No advertising or marketing. One song makes an ironic commentary on consumerism and buying things we don't need.
Educational Value
some
Gentle social-emotional lessons are told through poetry, which could be challenging for kids to identify by themselves. Topics include self-discovery, healing, friendship and taking care of yourself and your community. The catchy songs and paper stop motion animation inspire creative expression.
Positive Messages
some
Many positive messages about overcoming adversity, resilience and starting over -- "even in the dark there were some bright times." We are all connected in our communities. Emphasizes that we are all connected and healing starts with ourselves. Sometimes, we need to let go of things to make room for others. It also comments on reusing, recycling and consumerism.
Positive Role Models
some
Main characters go through emotional challenges and don't always make the right decisions. They deal with heartbreak and letting go with an emphasis on learning to start and work together. A secondary character shows the importance of community and accepting people for who they are.
Diverse Representations
some
Characters are diverse animals living together in harmony. Individuality is celebrated and respected. Lessons on understanding others' struggles and healing together. An inter-species marriage doesn't work due to differences. The song "Possum's Point of View" challenges perspectives on differences.
Parents need to know that Brambletown is a musical movie based on original songs by The Okee Dokee Brothers (Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing). The folk tunes, combined with paper stop-motion visuals, add a poetic touch to themes like resilience, heartbreak, and growth. While younger kids may enjoy the music, the deeper story is better understood by older kids and adults. Adults may even find themselves wiping away a tear or two as the characters deal with important changes like divorce and isolation. The movie talks about the roles we play in one another's lives and our individual struggles using allegories for divorce, alcoholism, and a brief scene when a character "looks at death." Despite these heavy topics, the movie isn't dark and shouldn't spark fear. Instead, it can be a gentle conversation starter, focusing on recognizing others' struggles and perspectives. Rich material for co-viewing, it's an exceptional film that touches on serious topics with ease, light, and, most importantly, hope.
Engaging Environmental musical, with great visuals
We enjoy seeing the Okee Dokee brothers live, as well as listening in the car and at home, so we were excited to learn about the Brambletown movie. The humble stop motion animation by Eric Power (The Storyteller, Path of Blood) paired very well with the folk music of the Okee Dokee Brothers. This was a great video for the entire family, when it was over my 6 year old said I wish there were more!
Real music and real art at a time we need it most!
Unsurprisingly the okee dokee brothers and the animating artist made an absolute masterpiece. The music is enjoyable for audiences of any age and the artwork is whimsical and creative. The storyline and themes might go a bit over younger viewers heads but that really doesn’t diminish its enjoyability. I also love any animation that isnt cgi. If I could give more stars, I would!
What's the Story?
BRAMBLETOWN is a magical forest where different species live together in harmony. The main characters, Fox and Badger, grew up there together, but went separate ways and have recently returned. While the town looks the same it feels different: has the town changed, or have they? The story talks about our individual struggles and how they impact our community. Encouraging the viewers to take a different point of view, Brambletown is an invitation to explore the process of self-discovery, navigating surprises and our power to initiate change.
This poetic musical is a treat for caregivers and a great conversation starter for kids. Brambletown is one of those rare pieces that combines light, poetry and deep themes that touch your heart and soul. It emphasizes the importance of connection in a world where we often feel isolated, and it approaches heartbreak, isolation, and change with warmth and understanding. Ultimately, it shows that we can always heal and rebuild, especially if we do it together.
Young kids will be entertained by the catchy folk/country music, though they might miss some of the deeper social commentary. However, if your child is old enough to ask questions, the movie can lead to thoughtful discussions and meaningful conversations.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the messages of community in Brambletown. How can we help others we care about?
The city of Brambletown changes over time. What do you think makes a town a town? Is it the space or the people? Why do things have to change?
The individual struggles of Fox and Badger influenced the future of their community. Do you think we are also connected to our world? Talk about how our actions impact the global future.
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Fernanda Camargo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
