Does anyone know a kid-friendly snake-positive movie?

August 29, 2005 6:21 AM

Does anyone know of a kid-friendly movie for a four year old that features a snake as a good (or at least nuetral) character? I need to cement my status as the cool uncle.

My little nephew decided he loves snakes after a visit to the local zoo. When he saw Riki Tiki Tavi, he was quite upset that the snakes were the villains. I'm trying to ignore what it made him think of Indians. He says that snakes are "nice" and asked me if I had a move with "good snakes." I've used my Google-Fu to its limits and strained my soggy noggin and I've got nothin.

posted by Lame_username to Pets & Animals (15 answers total)

A Series of Unfortunate Events features good snakes in both the books and movie.
posted by emyd at 6:38 AM on August 29, 2005

The first Harry Potter has the a short scene with a snake at the zoo who would like move to Brazil (I think it was Brazil).
posted by duck at 6:45 AM on August 29, 2005

The "Wiggles" have a new video out (the safari one) that features a cool song about a cool (real, not animated) snake.
posted by availablelight at 6:50 AM on August 29, 2005

Can't think of a movie, but the annimated adaptation of Else Minarik and Maurice Sendak's "Little Bear" stories feautred a character named No Feet, who was a grass snake. He became the protagonist's friend, and classmate at school.
posted by Smart Dalek at 8:53 AM on August 29, 2005

In Foul Play, Burgess Meredith keeps a pet snake that he lavishes with affection.
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 9:10 AM on August 29, 2005

Response by poster: I'm afriad A series of Unfortunate Events might freak him out with the dead parents angle. The Wiggles are old favorites of his, so I'll hunt that down for sure. The Little Bear suggestion sounds like just the ticket. I don't mind if it is not a film -- I should have been more careful in my original post to say so. I'll also check out Foul Play. You guys rock! Keep 'em coming.
posted by Lame_username at 9:37 AM on August 29, 2005

I don't think Foul Play is really appropriate (or interesting) for little ones.
Has he watched any Crocodile Hunter? Steve Irwin is quite enthusiastic in his love for snakes.
posted by jrossi4r at 9:54 AM on August 29, 2005

Response by poster: Interestingly, the Wiggle's Safari DVD features Steve Irwin. None of his other DVDs seemed like the right tone, but I'll set TiVo to start grabbing up Crocodile Hunter and try to burn a montage for him. I don't think he's seen any of it, but as long as it wasn't focused on the "extreme danger" angle, I think he'd like it.

None of the Little Bear DVDs professed to feature No Feet, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
posted by Lame_username at 10:12 AM on August 29, 2005

Well, Kaa in Disney's Jungle Book is a villian, but he has some great scenes. Plus it's one of the better Disney movies.
Oh, and this episode of Zaboomafoo has some good snake footage.
posted by maryh at 10:40 AM on August 29, 2005

The Little Bear video Parties & Picnics features No Feet, but seems only to be available on VHS.
posted by cerebus19 at 10:53 AM on August 29, 2005

I second Steve Irwin. But I think that's a really odd thing to dismiss A Series of Unfortunate Events for...most children's stories feature at least one dead parent. It's the best way to establish a child's independence plot-wise. Granted, the series is dark, but I know two five year olds who love it.
posted by emyd at 3:39 PM on August 29, 2005

Response by poster: I'll ask my sister about A Series of Unfortunate Events. I freely admit that what I don't know about children would fill many books. As I recall, he loved Nightmare Before Christmas, so he's probably made of sterner stuff than I would have predicted.
posted by Lame_username at 3:47 PM on August 29, 2005

Althouh the snake is a rather minor character, many four-year-olds enjoy this classic.
posted by Wet Spot at 6:57 PM on August 29, 2005

Well, Kaa in Disney's Jungle Book is a villian,
Euch! *spit spit*
That's one favour you can do him - keep him away from Disney bastardisations. And in a couple (3 or 4, maybe) of years he can read Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Books himself. Kaa is a wonderful snake character. Or you could read them to him - your own simplified versions, edited to his level. But The King's Ankus is a bit scary for a bedtime story - even for me.
posted by Catch at 11:35 PM on August 29, 2005

Also, if you can catch the Jeff Corwin Experience on cable, Jeff is a biologist who specializes in snakes. He is fascinated by them, he travels the world showing viewers how to treat snakes (and other animals) with respect.
posted by gyrom at 6:58 AM on August 31, 2005