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Story

Based on the children’s fairy tale Little Peter’s Journey to the Moon by German author Gerdt von Bassewitz, Moonbound tells the story of Mr Zoomzeman (voiced by Howard Nightingale), an elderly June bug.

Mr Zoomzeman has spent his whole adult life searching for brave humans, who’ve never hurt any animals, to help him retrieve something he lost many years ago. When a mean thief (Drew Sarich) cut down Mr Zoomzeman’s home, a beautiful birch tree, Mr Zoomzeman asked the Night Fairy (Cindy Robinson) for help. The Night Fairy banished the thief and his two accomplices to the moon. Tragically, the birch tree, one of Mr Zoomzeman’s arms, and his newlywed wife, Mrs Zoomzeman, were all sent to the moon too.

When Mr Zoomzeman meets young Anne (Lilian Gartner), and her brother Peter (Aleks Le), he knows he has found the right humans to help him. Together they go on a fantastic journey to the stars to stop the evil Moon Man once and for all, and to retrieve Mr Zoomzeman’s arm, birch tree and lost love.

Themes

Fantasy; adventure; family; friendship

Violence

Moonbound has some violence. For example:

  • The wood thief becomes the Moon Man. He’s selfish and ruthless, has evil intentions, and is prepared to use violence. He ruthlessly cuts down the bugs’ home. He destroys the heavenly Shooting Star School, kidnaps Anne and the shooting stars, and makes them work in a factory. He also fires a cannon on the Night Fairy’s palace with the intention of destroying her and ruling over the universe.
  • One of the Nature Spirits, the Lightning Witch, casts lightning bolts at people.

Sexual references

There are no sexual references in Moonbound.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

Moonbound shows some use of substances. For example:

  • The Night Fairy has a glass of red wine.
  • Mr Zoomzeman has a little flask filled with a ‘Forget-me-not’ drink.

Nudity and sexual activity

There is some sexual activity in Moonbound. For example, the Moon Man and the Lightning Witch seem to be a couple. They kiss each other a couple of times.

Product placement

There’s no product placement in Moonbound.

Coarse language

Moonbound has some mild coarse language, including ‘idiot’, ‘smartarse’, ‘dumbass’ and ‘dork’.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Moonbound is a sweet adaptation of Gerdt von Bassewitz’s classic story of two brave and selfless young children who go on a fantastic journey to help a little animal friend. It does have some clichés, including a spirited, playful little sister who annoys her more sincere, older brother, bullies who pick on the new kid at the school, a ruthless villain who seeks vengeance and wants to rule the universe, and two stupid and clumsy henchmen. But it also features relatable, funny and quirky characters and positive role models, and plenty of positive messages.

The pace of Moonbound is quick, and the storyline is complex, so very young children might lose track or interest. Because of this and sad and scary themes about facing an evil villain, leaving home and losing loved ones, this movie is most suitable for a family audience with children over 4 years. We also recommend parental guidance for children aged 4-5 years.

These are the main messages from Moonbound:

  • Look out for one another.
  • Be persistent and never give up.
  • Follow your dreams.

Values in Moonbound that you could reinforce with your children include family cohesion, friendship, kindness, courage and resourcefulness.

Moonbound could also give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life situations, like the consequences of behaving meanly and rudely towards others. The subplot involving the Lightning Witch shows that this behaviour makes you unpopular, but also that it’s never too late to make good choices and make up for past mistakes.

Supported By

  • Department of Social Services

Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

Member Organisations

  • Parenting Research Centre
  • The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
  • Murdoch Children's Research Institute

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