6/10
Beautiful, but too "Disney"
11 December 2004
This movie is not slow-moving at all. Only 10-15 minutes is spent on build-up; then they're in the jungle. If you only like action movies and want things to bleed and blow up all the time, this is simply not the movie for you. It's not slow, it's just different.

It is a beautiful movie. It held my attention, and it's full of delightful close-up shots of the jungle and its animal (mostly insect) life. If you like nature films, you will definitely enjoy this as a great visual experience.

William Hurt once again plays a father figure to a troubled little boy (see "Second Best" and "A.I."), and he does it very well. As an honest, well-produced, well-filmed movie, this would earn a 7 out of 10 rating from me. I have to detract one, however, because the actors who play the mother and the brain-tumored kid are sentimental "types" that are obviously designed to evoke excessive pity and compassion in the viewer, Disney-style. This is a bit too much, and mars an otherwise very beautiful little story.

6 out of 10.
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