While an agreeable enough effort in most respects, pic is a bit dark and somber to be terrifically appealing to kids, and could have used bigger doses of humor and music.
– Todd McCarthy,
Variety,
26 Mar 2009
rotten:
It contains a dire message: Man is destroying nature and progress is evil. It is hard to know what small children, the film's intended audience, are supposed to do with this idea. Nag their parents about recycling? Work it out in nightmares?
– Johanna Steinmetz,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Jun 2014
rotten:
The characters are not memorable; the songs are lame and the drawing style is pedestrian.
– Gene Siskel,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Jun 2014
rotten:
Respect for nature and the environment is a message that no one would quarrel with, but this is yet another example of a movie that can't or won't differentiate between technology and the use to which it is put.
– Desmond Ryan,
Philadelphia Inquirer,
17 Jun 2014
fresh:
It's a good thing this breezy animated adventure lasts only slightly more than 70 minutes. Children will no doubt enjoy its simple tale, but would probably grow restless if it went on for a minute longer.