 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Adventures of the American Rabbit
- Review Date: December 17, 2010
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1986
Common Sense Media says
Message-laden superhero tale is trite and uninspiring.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that, in true superhero tradition, Rob Rabbit (in his role as the very patriotic "American Rabbit") frequently averts disaster in the nick of time. He manages to save the citizenry from explosions, fires, a dangerous waterfall, and an attempt to blow up the Statue of Liberty, all of which have been instigated by dastardly villains. It's all clearly cartoon violence, and though the victims are mildly frightened before they're saved, there's no attempt at heightened suspense or danger. The main bad guy constantly berates his followers, calling them countless insulting and disrespectful names. Many heavy-handed messages are delivered, but they're notalways modeled. For example, Rob Rabbit often talks about the importance of teamwork, but except for one short group protest, he works entirely alone.
What's the story?
At a very early age, Rob Rabbit (voiced by Barry Gordon) is discovered to be "The American Rabbit," whose destiny is to save the world. Leaving his family behind, Rob sets out to secretly right wrongs, protect his fellow citizens (a grand conglomerate of animals, large and small), and use his very special powers to conquer evil. The legacy requires that he never let anyone find out that quiet, unassuming Rob Rabbit is really a superhero. On his urgent mission, he roller skates on the ground and soars through the sky clothed in an American flag. In short order he encounters a pack of evil jackals that vandalizes, threatens, and destroys everything its path in a quest for ultimate power. In the words of Vultor (Kenneth Mars), their leader, "We torture, terrorize, lie, cheat, steal; that's our job." Fortunately for The American Rabbit's friends and his country, it's his job to stop them.
Is it any good?
The unimaginative, simplistic animation in this film goes hand in hand with a trite story, zealous moralizing (not always associated with the events at hand), and scenes that make no sense either standing on their own or as part of a whole. Motivations change from moment to moment. Characters forge ahead, oblivious to what happened only a scene earlier. And, with the exception of Rob Rabbit, the threatened citizens -- though gentle and sweet-natured -- are portrayed as foolish and naive. That doesn't leave much to recommend.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what makes a superhero super? Other than their powers, what qualities do they often have in common?
Rob Rabbit talks about not "generalizing" about groups; in this case, he warns about saying or thinking that all jackals are evil. Would it have helped Rob's case if there had been at least one jackal that was good? Can you think of other groups about whom people unfairly generalize?
In a cartoon like this one, the danger to the characters is make believe. How do you know the difference between real and pretend violence?
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| Topics: | superheroes, adventures, wild animals |
| Studio: | MGM/UA |
| Directors: | Fred Wolf, Nobutaka Nishizawa |
| Cast: | Barry Gordon, Bob Arbogast, Lorenzo Music |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 82 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 17, 1986 |
| DVD release date: | February 8, 2005 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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