Pokemon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle parents guide

Pokemon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle Parent Guide

This is a fun, simple, positive introduction to the Pokemon universe for kids but it's too juvenile for older viewers.

Overall A-

Netflix: Ash and Pikachu run into Koko, a feral boy in the jungle, and meet previously unknown Pokemon. But the forces of development threaten their home.

Release date October 8, 2021

Violence B
Sexual Content A
Profanity A
Substance Use A

Why is Pokemon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle rated TV-PG? The MPAA rated Pokemon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle TV-PG

Run Time: 99 minutes

Parent Movie Review

Deep in the jungle, the territorial and selfish Zarude rule over all the other Pokémon. That is, until one day a Zarude (Edward Bosco) stumbles across a human baby and decides to raise it as his own. Now 10 years old, Koko (Kimlinh Tran) meets Ash Ketchum (Sarah Natochenny) and his companion, Pikachu (Ikue Otani). As Koko learns about the world of humans, he also uncovers a plot that threatens the jungle and all the creatures in it.

Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle is a retread of well-traveled ground, both because it is a Pokémon film, of which there are many, and because its plot has been done many times before. Children being raised by animals is not a new concept by any means (The Jungle Book and Tarzan both spring to mind), nor are stories centered around the destruction of forests through human greed (The Lorax and Ferngully anyone?). The writers simply took those two well established ideas and combined them in the world of Pokémon. That is not a bad thing in and of itself, but it does create a predictable story. We all know how the movie will end before the first scene even closes. However, this production was obviously made for very young audiences, so predictability in this case is more of a positive than a negative.

Really whether I recommend this film or not comes down to your appreciation for the franchise. As an adult with only a mild amount of nostalgia for Pokémon, I wouldn’t watch it again, nor do I predict that even ravenous adult fans will be all that interested. But for young kids, this is a perfectly serviceable entry into the Pokémon universe. The messages are clear and positive, and the content concerns are low. The story revolves around themes of family, friendship, selflessness, environmentalism, and interconnectedness, all of which are delivered in simple ways, making them easy for young viewers to pick up. The only negative content of note is the level of violence, though it is no more, and possibly even less, than can be found in any of the Pokémon TV shows or games.

If you have a budding Pokémon Trainer at home, or want to introduce your child to the franchise, Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle is a fun, positive, simple viewing experience that will leave young audiences satisfied, even if it’s a bit too juvenile for anyone else.

Directed by Tetsuo Yajima. Starring Sarah Natochenny, James Cather Cathcart, Michele Kntz, Ikue Otani. Running time: 99 minutes. Theatrical release October 8, 2021. Updated

Watch the trailer for Pokemon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle

Pokemon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle
Rating & Content Info

Why is Pokemon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle rated TV-PG? Pokemon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle is rated TV-PG by the MPAA

Violence: Pokémon battle each other in various ways, including kicking, punching, biting, and using special abilities such as lightening and fireballs. Some slapstick violence including falls, running into things, and getting hit on the head. A fatal car accident is shown. An antagonist uses a large machine to rip up trees and threaten the jungle creatures. Said machine later explodes.
Sexual Content: None.
Profanity: Some mild insults such as “creep” and “weird”.
Alcohol / Drug Use: None.

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Pokemon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle Parents' Guide

Why does Dr. Zed want to get to the Heart Tree? What does he want to do with it and what is he willing to sacrifice for it? What will happen to the jungle and all of the creatures if he gets what he wants? How does this relate to things that are happening in the real world?

Home Video

Related home video titles:

This movie shares elements of Tarzan, The Jungle Book, The Lorax, and FernGully: The Last Rainforest. It also continues the universe of Pokémon movies, which begins with Pokémon: The First Movie. The franchise also branched into live action movies with Pokémon Detective Pikachu.