The One and Only Ivan: A Parent Movie Review

The One and Only Ivan, a movie based on an award winning novel written by Katherine Applegate, will be available for streaming on Disney Plus on August 21, 2020.  However, because it is primarily a movie about animals in captivity, is it kid friendly?  I’m answering this question and more in my spoiler-free parent movie review.  With a PG rating that focuses on a serious subject matter, here’s what parents need to know.

The One and Only Ivan:  A Parent Movie Review

The One and Only Ivan is inspired by a true story, namely a silverback gorilla named Ivan who lived in a shopping mall in Washington for 27 years.  Originally intended to be a theatrical release, the decision was made to release The Only and Only Ivan straight to Disney Plus due to theater closures caused by COVID-19.  The film adaptation primarily occurs inside a shopping mall where several animals, including Ivan (voiced by Sam Rockwell), perform inside a tent in front of an audience.  The ringleader of sorts is Mack (played by Bryan Cranston), who isn’t necessarily a villain, although he puts pressure on the animals to perform as part of his livelihood.

Is The One and Only Ivan kid friendly?

The movie is rated PG which means that some material may not be appropriate for young children; therefore, parental guidance is suggested.  While there is not any bad language or sexually suggestive scenes, the movie does contain one scene of implied violence as well as a scene where Ivan breaks through a window.   There is also death, but it’s handled in a very sensitive and poignant manner.

The subject matter in this movie is very serious since it largely focuses on animal rights.  Ivan, especially, is torn between doing what’s expected of him while wanting freedom for himself and other animals.  While he is not able to express himself through words, he’s able to express himself through art.  However, while the subject matter is very serious, kids will enjoy the lighthearted moments and humor, especially when the animals interact with each other.  For example, Henrietta, a chicken (voiced by Chaka Khan), is asked why she would cross the road….to get to the other side!  And Bob the dog (voiced by Danny DeVito) provides much needed comedic relief.

The Special Effects

The special effects in this movie deserve a mention because they are quite simply amazing.  CGI can sometimes be over the top but in The One and Only Ivan, the special effects are very realistic.  For example, Ivan’s facial expressions range from sadness to despair to determination, and it all seems very life-like.  The actors and actresses who voiced their animal counterparts also add empathy to their characters.  In particular, Angelina Jolie (who voices Stella, an elephant) and Brooklyn Prince (who voices Ruby, a younger elephant) make a great pair with Jolie’s soothing tone and Prince’s childlike wonder.

Does The One and Only Ivan have post credit scenes?

Yes.  Don’t hit the stop button as soon as you see the end scene credit!  That’s because there are two post credit scenes that you and your families don’t want to miss.  

Overall Thoughts

In The One and Only Ivan, Disney accomplishes what it excels at - creating a heartwarming movie about self discovery.  My family and I (including my 7 year old son) really enjoyed watching the movie.  However, the ending is very rushed and avoids any real conflict between Mack and Ivan, which is very noticeable.

Nevertheless, there are several messages contained in the movie that kids can definitely learn from: empathy,  the importance of freedom, friendship, and keeping promises.  Overall, The One and Only Ivan is a movie that families of all ages will enjoy but as always, use your discretion.  Depending on your child’s personality, I think the movie is appropriate for kids 5 years old and older.  However, if your child is sensitive, especially with regard to animals, then you might want to wait until they are older to watch the movie. 

Are you looking for other kid friendly movies on Disney Plus?  If so, click here for my review of Togo.

About The One and Only Ivan

An adaptation of the award-winning book about one very special gorilla, Disney’s “The One and Only Ivan” is an unforgettable tale about the beauty of friendship, the power of visualization and the significance of the place one calls home. Ivan is a 400-pound silverback gorilla who shares a communal habitat in a suburban shopping mall with Stella the elephant, Bob the dog, and various other animals. He has few memories of the jungle where he was captured, but when a baby elephant named Ruby arrives, it touches something deep within him. Ruby is recently separated from her family in the wild, which causes him to question his life, where he comes from and where he ultimately wants to be. The heartwarming adventure, which comes to the screen in an impressive hybrid of live-action and CGI, is based on Katherine Applegate’s bestselling book, which won numerous awards upon its publication in 2013, including the Newbery Medal.