Manifest Destiny: The Lewis & Clark Musical Adventure
Common Sense says
- PG
- 2016
- 92 minutes
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Manifest Destiny: The Lewis & Clark Musical Adventure is a wildly inaccurate musical spoof of the famous expedition of western expansion. There's little content of concern, but it's best for kids old enough to understand that they're not seeing anything close to what really happened. It can be a good starting point for talking about what we really know about the people, the expedition, and how it shaped our country. Thomas Jefferson is a villain who tries to undermine Lewis and Clark so he can get all the credit, and a musical number shows him drinking heavily from a bottle and swaying. Lewis and Clark help deliver Sacagawea's baby in a musical number; she's covered by a blanket throughout. A puppet horse is shot off screen. Lewis picks up a bird that Clark shot and holds it in his hands. Older viewers will easily see it's a fake. A body goes over a tall waterfall. The character survives but is paralyzed.
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Lewis and Clark Review
What's the story?
In MANIFEST DESTINY: THE LEWIS & CLARK MUSICAL ADVENTURE, President Thomas Jefferson sends the two title characters to explore the land recently acquired in the Louisiana Purchase. Lewis and Clark set out to find a way to the Pacific Ocean and to study and map the new land. Native Sacagawea helps them, guiding them to the Rocky Mountains. As reports trickle back to the east, Jefferson becomes jealous of Lewis and Clark's fame and determines to grab the glory for himself. Will Lewis and Clark ever see the Pacific? And will Jefferson's plan to steal their maps and their fame succeed?
Is it any good?
This silly musical spoof of America's most famous explorers starts out well, with catchy musical numbers, witty songs, and a dash of cartoonish zaniness that tells you to let go of the facts. Unfortunately, Manifest Destiny: The Lewis & Clark Musical Adventure can't quite maintain that opening spirit through the whole 90 minutes. Eventually things start to feel a bit too earnest and sincere. The spoof loses its edge, and the inaccuracies, exaggerations, and cheesy puppetry start to lose their charm. It's based on a popular YouTube series that tells the story in shorter segments, which might be a better format for the actor/writers.
Best for older kids who'll take it with a large grain of salt. But it could be a good starting point for talking about what's inaccurate, why, and whether you think it's OK to take liberties with history.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about how Manifest Destiny: The Lewis & Clark Musical Adventure isn't accurate. Is it OK to make up your own versions of historical people and events? Why or why not?
What does the phrase "manifest destiny" really mean? Does the movie show its real meaning?
What do you know about Sacagawea? Is her portrayal accurate? Why or why not?
Movie details
- On DVD or streaming: July 13, 2016
- Cast: Jeremy Hoffman, Kevin Abrams
- Director: Anthony Parisi
- Studio: New Renaissance Pictures
- Genre: Musical
- Topics: Adventures, Friendship, History
- Run time: 92 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
Themes & Topics
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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.