They’ve probably read the book by Kate DiCamillo so your kids are asking if they can watch Flora & Ulysses which streams this Friday on Disney+. But is this one ok for kids? When it comes to animal-centric films, that can be a hard one to answer. But this parent movie review will help answer the question if Flora & Ulysses safe for kids.
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About Flora & Ulysses
Disney’s “Flora & Ulysses” is a comedy-adventure based on the Newbery Award-winning book about 10-year-old Flora, an avid comic book fan and a self-avowed cynic, whose parents have recently separated.
After rescuing a squirrel she names Ulysses, Flora is amazed to discover he possesses unique superhero powers which take them on an adventure of humorous complications that ultimately change Flora’s life–and her outlook–forever.
“Flora & Ulysses” stars Matilda Lawler, Alyson Hannigan, Ben Schwartz, Anna Deavere Smith, Danny Pudi, Benjamin Evans Ainsworth, Janeane Garofolo and Kate McCucci.
Watch the Flora & Ulysses trailer here.
Is Flora & Ulysses Safe For Kids? Parent Movie Review
Flora & Ulysses is a sweet, fun, and easy family film that is generally ok for kids to watch.
Is Flora & Ulysses safe for kids? It is, in almost all the ways parents worry about (no language, no sex, little violence, and great kid actors.)
The story will entertain the adults as well, so don’t shy away from choosing this one as your family movie night. Unless…
dun dun dun…
I’m always going to give a caveat when it comes to animal-centric films, and Flora & Ulysses is no different.
Here’s what you need to know before watching Flora & Ulysses with young an/or sensitive kiddos.
Language in Ulysses & Flora
The language is super mild in this movie- there really isn’t anything that stood out as concerning. Whoohoo Disney!
On this front, Ulysses & Flora is totally ok for kids to watch.
I’m also going to go ahead and note there’s no sex in this movie, so good clean fun is on the storyboard. A cute hand-holding scene between two children is as close as we get here!
Animal Violence in Ulysses & Flora
A couple of things to note here: the CGI squirrel in the film is tossed around quite a bit.
Please note: it absolutely is a CGI squirrel, so reminding your childrn of that fact could go a long way with any concerns they may have.
There are tranquilizer guns and efforts to get rid of the rodent by the adults who are not in the know (that he’s a superhero, natch!). If guns of any sort are a deal-breaker in your household, keep this in mind.
Young kids may not get the difference in what this is supposed to do vs killing the squirrel, so there could be concerns with extra sensitive children.
Heavy Adult Discussions Abound
This family is going through a bit of an upheaveal, and if your family is as well… keep that in mind.
Divorce and separation are heavy themes discussed in this movie that could be triggering in some cases.
There are also a lot of comic book references, and while I know comics are absolutley kid-reading material, just know that it plays a large part in the movie.
If you are anti-comic book/superhero for some reason (I hear there are folks out there with big feelings on the subject!) this movie may be something you’ll want to pre-screen for suitability.
Is Flora & Ulysses Ok For Kids?
If you read all this and think I’m being a bit nit-picky, perhaps I am.
Because I do think this movie is ok for most kids and will be great fun for most families.
However, I do think there could be cases where parents want the heads up before sitting down with this PG movie with the family.
The acting is great, the CGI doesn’t even bug me, and the story is adorable.
Flora & Ulysses airs on Disney+ starting Friday, February 19, 2021.
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Patty Holliday is a parent movie reviewer, writer, and podcaster living in the Washington, DC area. Her goal is to bridge the gap between casual fandom and picky critic with parent movie and television reviews. As a lifelong fangirl and pop culture connoisseur, she’s been creating online since 2009. You can find her work at No-Guilt Disney.com, No-Guilt Fangirl.com, No-Guilt Life, and as host of the top-rated No-Guilt Disney Podcast.