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Early Childhood
KidScore Rating System
KidScore Movie Ratings
Clifford's Really Big Movie

Rated G

The Basics
Title: Clifford's Really Big Movie
Rating: G

Overall rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Best for Ages: 6 and under

Ages 3 - 7: Green
Ages 8 - 12: Green
Ages 13 - 17: Green
Violence Amount: Green
Violence Portrayal: Green
Fear: Green
Illegal / Harmful: Green
Language: Green
Nudity: Green
Sex: Green

Review:
This animated movie is based on a series of easy reader books written by Norman Bridwell in the 1960's. In addition a PBS television show was based on the books from 2000 to 2003. Clifford is a really huge red dog and he eats an enormous amount. Through a misunderstanding, he decides he's too expensive for his family, the Howard's, to feed. He runs away to join the circus with his friends T-Bone and Cleo in hopes that he can win a years supply of free dog food. He meets new friends Shackleford the ferret, Rodrigo the Chihuahua and Dirk the dachshund on his journey. Of course, his human family is very worried about him and they are searching everywhere for their best friend. The movie is 73 minutes long and could be 2 episodes of the TV show. Young viewers will be amused and entertained, but the movie may do better as a rental because it has little to offer older children and adults. I think that it will appeal to children under 6 years of age. The importance of pets to children and the family as a whole would be a good topic of conversation after the movie. John Ritter was the voice of Clifford in this movie. It was his last leading role before he passed away.

Linda ThomasLinda Thomas is a native Minnesotan. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a double major in sociology and psychology. Married with a family, she has remained in the Minneapolis area.

Linda has been a lover of movies since she was a small child. This love of film eventually brought her to the point in life where she is now, a film critic. She was featured on WCCO radio for three years on the “Dark in the Morning” show with Dark Star.

In December of 2001, Linda became the film critic for the syndicated “Ruth Koscielak Show”.

Linda sees over 150 movies a year and has had the opportunity to interview a number of directors and actors when they are in town. She has also appeared on a public access show called the "Cinema Judge" and has ventured into writing for "Cinestar" magazine in September 2002. The Twin Cities movie magazine is available, for free, at most local Blockbuster's and local movie cheaters.

Her website is: www.lindathomasmovies.com

As one of the few female reviewers in the Twin Cities area, she brings a unique point of view to her reviews. Linda has raised two children, a boy and a girl, and knows what they like in movies and what is appropriate. Hopefully, her reviews will help your family in choosing where to next spend your movie-going dollar.

©2006 National Institute on Media and the Family.