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Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird

(1985, Rated G, Family and kids, Starring Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Carroll Spinney)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 4.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Big Bird finds his true home in this warm tale.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 4 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Friends become family in this heartwarming film. The Sleaze Brothers are not such nice guys, locking Big Bird in a cage and making him sing for money!
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Locking Big Bird in a cage is sad, but not violent, per se.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    The Sleaze Brothers yell at each other, saying "Shut up!" Sam Sleaze says "Check the gams on that butterball," when he sees Big Bird for the first time.
  • Consumerism:

    True Value hardware sign. The Sleaze Brothers are out to make money at all costs.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird

Parents need to know that little ones might be confused about why the "Feathered Friends" take Big Bird away from his home on Sesame Street and place him in a home with another family. The social-worker-as-villain concept might seem a bit odd to anyone who has adopted a child, but Big Bird does end up in his rightful, colorful place: on Sesame Street.

Read our full review by Joly Herman

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what a family is. Does every family look the same? Can friends be family, too? Why is Big Bird tempted to live with the Dodo's? Is Miss Finch a bad person? Is she helping Big Bird, or harming him?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    This was my favorite movie as a kid,,,watch it again, you'll be surprised at what was considered to be quality programing. my 4 year old doesn't care for this movie at all, she didn't think it was funny and there were a few scenes that freaked her out...I would maybe allow a ten year old or up to watch this.

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