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Parents' Guide to

An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan Island

By Grace Montgomery, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Immigrant mice tale is scarier, darker than past films.

Movie G 2004 80 minutes
An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan Island Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 1 parent review

SierraJames54
SierraJames54 Adult
July 1, 2020
age 13+

Kind of lacked on the sexy stuff section.

Sure you’ve explained more on the positive role models, violence, language, and drugs sections in detail, but you’ve overlooked on sex as there was more than just “some mild flirting and a kiss on the cheek”. For instance, it included a giggling big-breasted Native American female that tiptoed behind an European and was about to do something very naughty offscreen before he is caught stealing. Also shows two boys watching a girl changing her clothes before helping her explore and there is a naughty portrait hang on the Mousekewitz’s wall containing a large animal and a naked woman swimming. You really need to watch it again to get things straight.
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

The Mouskewitzes and friends are finding that the American dream isn't all they thought it would be. Papa (Nehemiah Persoff) is tired from working multiple jobs and is sick of being discriminated against at his factory job. And Tony (Pat Musick) finds his dreams of getting rich are slow in coming, especially when he gets on the bad side of the evil factory boss, Mr. Grasping (Ron Perlman). When Fievel (Thomas Dekkar) and Tony discover a secret treasure map that leads them underneath Manhattan, they're sure their luck is about to change. But when the adventurers find a secret society of Native American mice hiding under the city, they learn the greatest treasure you can find is the freedom to hope and dream.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Fans of Indiana Jones will definitely recognize and appreciate the scenes of Fievel and Tony navigating the underground world of Manhattan in this sometimes fun adventure tale. But, unlike previous American Tail adventures, this dreary flick is short on hope and long on injustice. There are too many near misses for Tony and Fievel, and Mr. Grasping and his police thugs are just too brutal -- seeing them viciously beat a protester with a baton, even if it is in silhouette, feels excessive. Fievel's cheery enthusiasm isn't enough to outweigh the gloom that pervades the entire movie.

Also, though there are definitely some inspiring scenes of Papa rallying everyone to fight against injustice, it's hard to overlook the dated and cringe-inducing stereotypes used to depict the Native American mice. Stick with the original An American Tail and skip this one.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the American dream. What is the American dream and why is reality much different for Fievel, his family, and their friends?

  • Do you think the Native American mice made a good choice to hide underground? Why, or why not?

  • Which American Tail adventure is your favorite? Why?

Movie Details

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