 | 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. |
An American Tail
- Review Date: May 19, 2003
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1986
Common Sense Media says
Adorable, heartwarming tale of an immigrant mouse.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the main character in this feel-good animated movie spends much of the film trying to find his parents, who he was separated from during a storm at sea. He faces many perils, including a near-drowning and attacks from monstrous cats, during his journey, which may prove too scary for the youngest viewers.
What's the story?
Feivel Mousekewitz is a little Russian mouse who emigrates to the United States with his family, after they're told that "there are no cats in America and the streets are paved with cheese." He gets separated from his parents and sister and is forced to work in a sweatshop by the evil Warren T. Rat (a cat in disguise). Feivel is resilient and courageous, and finds friends (including a kind cat) who help him until he finds his family. The score features the hit song "Somewhere Out There."
Is it any good?
This is a heartwarming animated tale about the experience of immigrants coming to America. Told from the perspective of a mouse, the film should engage kids in a very important part of U.S. history. The voice performances are charming, and the songs are catchy.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about their own families experiences with immigration. Is there anything in the movie that families can relate to?
Talk about scariness in movies. What exactly makes a movie scary -- music, images, your own imagination? What makes some movies thrilling and others too frightening?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
I'm sorry but I'm not sure if this is really something appropriate for kids. They likely won't care about any of the references to the immigrant era, and this is very sad and depressing.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
A terrific classic
Though unlike most cult classics, this one gets less and less appreciation every year. This movie is wonderful. It's suspenseful, which might make some kids worry, but it's very cute and has some great musical numbers not to mention the plot is handled well. It's one of my personal favorites. You might want your kid to be a little older before viewing it, though, mainly due to some questionable content involving Honest John and the cats. The cats can be really scary sometimes because of their ruthlessness throughout the movie. Meanwhile, Honest John drinks heavily to the point where he should have died by now and during one scene that people seem to ignore, he tries to grab Gussie Mouseheimer's breast. Anyway, that's minor and if you ignore it, you get a great family film.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Pretty cool satire
Some characters as I remember it smoke. There is child labor enforced in America...it's supposed to emphasize the struggles of immigrants during the time Ellis Island operated.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Uh....Little Kids Only!
This movie will bore anyone over the age of 7 to death! It's annoying and completely pointless...even the awful sequel was better!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Was trying to decide whether or not to let my 6-yr. old see it, was on the fence, and then decided not to after the ominous scene of the bug shadows closing in after him when he went through (?) a storm drain. Also, where was his mom's baby at the end of the movie?
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
a vey cute movie.
the main voice was extremely cute.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
i love this movie.its amazing.its really interesting!
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | history, music and sing-along |
| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Don Bluth |
| Cast: | Christopher Plummer, Dom DeLuise, John Finnegan, Phillip Glasser |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 81 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 21, 1986 |
| DVD release date: | January 20, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
