Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Action-packed jungle mystery has suspense, peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
American Girl: Lea to the Rescue
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 11 kid reviews
Kids say the movie has a mix of positive and negative reviews, with many enjoying it as children but finding it less appealing upon rewatching. While some praise the adventure and mystery elements, others criticize the departure from the character's original story and call it inappropriate for younger audiences, suggesting it lacks the relatable themes present in other American Girl films.
- nostalgia
- adventure elements
- criticism of character
- inappropriate for young viewers
- departure from original story
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Ten-year-old Lea Clark (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) can't help but be a little jealous of her older brother Zac's first important girlfriend in AMERICAN GIRL: LEA TO THE RESCUE. While working in a wildlife sanctuary in Brazil, Zac (Connor Dowds) met Paula (Laysla DeOliveira) and fell in love. Lea wonders anxiously, does that mean he's never going to come home for real? That bit of resentment turns to real fear when Zac disappears. Lea and her mother react quickly, setting off for Brazil together. Remembering that when he brought Paula home to meet them, Zac confided that he was concerned about "poachers" (thieves who steal wild animals and sell them), Lea is doubly frightened. Despite her mother's instructions to stay and wait in Paula's home, Lea takes matters into her own hands. She cajoles Paula into a nonstop adventure through the Amazon jungle and the streets of Manaus to track the poachers, find Zac, and save the animals.
Is It Any Good?
While this American Girl is an intrepid sleuth -- a go-getter who calls on her skills and smarts to win the day -- some weak acting, inept villains, and silly plotting undermine the result. Still, American Girl: Lea to the Rescue is a bright movie: Lea sparkles, Brazil is colorful and vibrant, and the animals are beautifully photographed. What's more, Lea uncovers a wonderful truth about her grandmother and spends quality time with Aki (Storm Reid), an adorable counterpart in a world far from her own. It's nice to see the American Girl people developing adventure stories for their characters. It will be even nicer when they get it just right.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the character of Lea in American Girl: Lea to the Rescue. How is she different from most of the American Girls/dolls who've come before her? What skills does she have that surprised you?
How does the American Girl brand expand their product line and find new buyers by issuing a Doll of the Year? Why is it important to be aware of toy franchises' marketing strategies? How does your family handle the pressures of an ever-increasing amount of American Girl merchandise and films?
Lea was courageous and determined in her quest, but she disobeyed her mom in a big way. It worked for this story, but should there have been consequences for her behavior?
What did Lea learn about Brazil? Does this movie inspire you to find out more about that country? Where could you go to get more information about Brazil, its people, and the Amazon jungle?
How do the characters in American Girl: Lea to the Rescue demonstrate curiosity, perseverance, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : June 14, 2016
- Cast : Maggie Elizabeth Jones , Laysla DeOliveira , Storm Reid
- Director : Nadia Tass
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures , Book Characters , Friendship , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 98 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate