Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Absorbing kangaroo docu has peril, predator chases.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Kangaroo Valley
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
The hopping inhabitants of KANGAROO VALLEY live in a mob. When Mala emerges from her mother's pouch, she has a slim chance of survival. Joeys, young kangaroos, are slow and easy prey for the constantly roaming dingoes that invade the peaceful valley in packs from the nearby forest. The closeness between Mala and her mother and the learning curve from childhood to maturity will make the difference between death and survival in the idyllic valley. Secondary characters are the hungry dingoes, some grumpy wombats, eagles, and other birds, all playing the roles nature set out for them. Mala and her mob must overcome scarce food in frigid winter, as well as run-ins with murderous dingoes. Through excellent editing of great footage, the filmmakers construct a narrative that allows us to lay human emotions over the actions of the beautiful kangaroos. In one of the most moving such moments, Mala has been searching for her lost mother and finally finds her. The hugs and kisses that ensue will melt any heart.
Is It Any Good?
Kangaroo Valley offers spectacular and intimate footage of kangaroo life from babyhood to adulthood. As narrator, Sarah Snook delivers writer Tab Murphy's delightful commentary on the action, describing a young male joey's high energy as "flat-out full-tilt boogie," and the privileges of the alpha male kangaroo as "the only buck allowed to flirt openly with the ladies." She does the job with humor and intelligence in her voice. Although the documentary doesn't shy from the reality of the competing life-or-death needs of the dingoes and kangaroos, younger kids won't be exposed to more than threats. When a group of hungry dingoes cooperates to bring down a large male kangaroo, the actual killing isn't shown. The same goes for the kangaroo mating chase; actual mating isn't shown.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the difficulty of survival in the wild and the competing needs of animals. Did you want to root for both the dingoes and the kangaroos?
A young dingo learning how to hunt is singled out and his growth and maturity is compared to a young kangaroo's learning curve. How does the movie handle the battle between the dingo's need to eat and the kangaroo's will to survive?
Does the movie suggest that there's true affection between mother and child kangaroos? Do you think that is true? Why or why not?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: December 14, 2022
- Cast: Sarah Snook
- Director: Kylie Stott
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Documentary
- Run time: 76 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: June 23, 2023
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