AllMovie

Fly Away Home is a rousing family tale at which Mom and Dad should find themselves as enthralled as the kids. Without the sugar-coating that plagues so many youth-oriented films, it addresses such serious topics as environmentalism, death, divorce, and reconciliation. As father and daughter, Jeff Daniels and Anna Paquin turn in strong performances; the supporting geese are no less important. The adept director Carroll Ballard and cinematographer Caleb Deschanel previously worked together on The Black Stallion, and their subtle, delicate work is similarly impressive here. A credit to all involved, Fly Away Home is the rare family film that inspires as it entertains.