All Reviews

I have not read the script yet but intend to this week. I just had two questions/concerns. The logline says it is about a panther but the image you uploaded is not a panther but a lion cub. Panthers are the black ones -- either black leopards (Africa) or black jaguars (South America). I just personally think that if you really love your material and love animals you should care about something like that. Also, there are no panthers or lions wild in Florida, but I assume you know that and you are talking about one from a zoo, sanctuary or backyard. My uploaded work is also about big cats and zoos and hits on the theme of animal abuse, captivity, and endangered wild species.

....Oh sorry, I researched the "Florida Panther" and found it. I never heard of it. The fact that I have never even heard of them proves how rare and endangered they are. That it looks exactly like a cougar and probably is a form of a cougar and looks nothing like the traditional panther which is always a jet black leopard or jaguar, makes the name very very confusing. Consider calling the animal just a 'cougar' or 'Florida cougar'.

Also, I only got to page 20 but I am unsure of the tone, like is it a children's take on animals or an animal, serious look at animals. The use of magic and native american mysticism which visibly works on the bear, makes this confusing.

Also, you introduce A LOT of characters, probably too many for a reader to keep track of. A good rule is to not introduce more than two names characters per scene but you go over that number. And see if some of these characters can go unnamed and be something like "Fat Pizza Delivery Guy" and not "Billy" -- this way the reader knows that she doesnt have to remember that character well.

Also, I do not think a vet would ever ever allow a child or even a family to take home a wild cougar. Vets are probably not allowed by the law to allow that. They would send it to the local humane society. Also, it feels unrealistic and written that Cody runs into three deadly predators in the span of a minute (panther, bear, alligator)! The gator can turn to a snake which would make it a bit more realistic maybe.

Cody & The Cubnappers is well written with some good unexpected plot points, and many of the ingredients required to make a fun family movie. Obviously the author, Bill Schreiber, knows the Florida everglades, and has come up with an over-the-top adventure that takes place there. The silliness of some scenes reminds me of the "God's Must Be Crazy" films that came out in the 1980's.

The premise is good but not original. It's a bit like Home Alone in the Everglades. It needs a lot of work both and grammar and dialogue. A complete rewrite is needed.