The Best of The Wild Thornberrys

The Best of The Wild Thornberrys is a compilation of fan-favorite episodes of the original animated television show The Wild Thornberrys, produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio and aired from 1998 till 2004. The main series revolves around an eccentric and adventurous family, the Thornberrys, as they travel around the world in their ComVee (a combo of a van and a camper), making wildlife documentaries.

The Best of The Wild Thornberrys vividly portrays the most thrilling expeditions and encounters from the family’s ventures across various geographical landscapes, highlighting the series' most enlightening, engaging, and heartwarming escapades. The overall tone is of curiosity, cultural sensitivity, and enthusiastic discovery of the natural world, diving into dealing with ecosystem complexities and the link between wildlife and humans. It also throws light on the significance of conservation, showcasing the family’s commitment to preserving the very nature they document.

The protagonist of the series is the youngest Thornberry, Eliza, who is voiced to perfection by actress Lacey Chabert. Eliza is gifted, not by chance, but by magic. Following a benevolent act towards an African shaman during one of their trips, she was blessed with the ability to communicate with all forms of animal life. This is a seismic advantage and a foundation for more intimate and intriguing dealings with wildlife during their expeditions. But along with the gift came a caveat - she could lose her powers if she ever revealed her secret to anyone, which plays into the tension and compromise in her relationships, mainly with her sister Debbie.

Nigel Thornberry, the bumbling yet lovable father voiced by Tim Curry, is a wildlife documentarian, often coming across as goofy, but his vast knowledge of animals and their habitats, combined with his quirky humor, is central to the show's charm. Marianne, the sensible mom, voiced by Jodi Carlisle, is the backbone and the true-blue adventurer of the family, who often stays behind the lens as the family's camera operator. The tension and camaraderie between Eliza's teenage sister Debbie, and Eliza’s ‘adopted’ wild brother Donnie, who was raised by orangutans, add a unique dynamic to the family ensemble.

Eliza’s interactions with animals take center stage in The Best of The Wild Thornberrys. It provides a delightful tapestry of wildlife adventures, which are both educational and entertaining. Her unique power makes for heartwarming encounters with different animals, which in turn deliver various subplots and moral lessons. Her ability to converse with wildlife dives deeper into ecological concepts and issues in a child-friendly manner, highlighting the value of compassionate coexistence.

The chosen episodes showcase exotic locations ranging from African Savannas to the Australian Outback, the Amazon Rainforest, and even the Arctic. They reflect the central theme of exploration and understanding of various geographies, local cultures, customs, animals, and the challenges wildlife face due to environmental changes and human activity.

The Best of The Wild Thornberrys is apt for kids and adults alike, sparking intrigue, inducing laughs, and imparting valuable lessons about environmental conservation. The fun-filled and eccentric Thornberry family, Eliza’s ability to bridge the ever-interesting gap between human and animal world, and an excellent blend of adventures, made even more exciting by the stakes involving Eliza's secret, make it a memorable watch.

From an animation viewpoint, the detail and vibrancy of various environments, animal appearances, movements, and expressions are remarkably captured. The show’s writers evidently ensured to meet the watchful, knowledgeable eyes of its young audience with age-appropriate and informative dialogue about nature and culture.

The Best of The Wild Thornberrys, as its name suggests, presents the most unforgettable moments from the original series, carefully culled to present viewers with the very best the show has to offer. The series offers a greatly enjoyable ride and serves as a nostalgic tribute for viewers who followed the original series while becoming a gateway to the wonderful, wild world of Thornberrys for newer audiences.