The Rescuers Down Under
Common Sense says
- G
- 1990
- 116 minutes
Parents say
Kids say
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Get it now on
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Did this review miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive, diverse representations in books, TV shows, and movies. Want to help us help them? Suggest a diversity update
Suggest an update The Rescuers Down Under
We think this movie stands out for:
A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that The Rescuers Down Under is a 1990 sequel to The Rescuers. Young environmentalists will love the anti-poaching message and the animated rainforest, and the brilliant scenery and a funny albatross will interest most youngsters, but there are still some scary moments that parents should be aware of: Cody is threatened with death-by-crocodile twice and McLeach is swept over a falls (to his death). McLeach fakes the boy's death and imprisons him in an abandoned mine. Cody, his eagle friend, and her eggs spend most of the film in jeopardy. There is lots of peril. A doctor almost uses a chainsaw as a medical tool. Despite the scares there are positive messages about courage and teamwork.
Stay up to date on new reviews.
User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Here's why this outdoes the original by a long shot
2) It is gorgeous! Seriously, t... Continue reading
Disney's most underrated movie
What's the story?
THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER reprises the dynamic duo of Eva Gabor and Bob Newhart as intrepid mice Miss Bianca and Bernard and places them in the terrific natural landscape of the Australian Outback. When young Cody is kidnapped by a poacher, Bianca and Bernard hop aboard Wilbur the Albatross (voiced by John Candy) and fly off to rescue the boy. In Australia, they team up with an Aussie mouse named Jake to save Cody and stop evil poacher McLeach from selling endangered animals.
Is it any good?
It's a rare sequel that improves on the original, but this movie does exactly that, this time without any of those lame songs. Disney makes the brave choice of using a decidedly un-cute bird of prey as the focus of its wildlife preservation story -- Marahute is a majestic and wonderfully realistic character.
While Cody is impossibly cute and brave, it is really the animals' stories that will interest most youngsters, from the budding romance between Miss Bianca and Bernard to Wilbur's silly antics in a hospital run by mice. And not only are these stories entertaining, they also convey a strong environmental message. The only questionable aspect of The Rescuers Down Under is its failure to give anyone but Jake an Australian accent -- what was Disney thinking? That only Americans live Down Under? Nonetheless, this is a wonderful-looking cartoon that is bound to please.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about how The Rescuers Down Under compares to the original. Which do you prefer, and why?
How does the movie show teamwork? How does it promote courage? Why are these important /character-strengths-and-life-skills/character-strengths-and-life-skills?
Movie details
- In theaters: July 15, 1990
- On DVD or streaming: August 1, 2000
- Cast: Bob Newhart, Eva Gabor, John Candy
- Director: Hendel Butoy
- Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Adventures, Wild Animals
- Character strengths: Courage, Teamwork
- Run time: 116 minutes
- MPAA rating: G
- MPAA explanation: all audiences
- Last updated: September 21, 2019
Our editors recommend
For kids who love Disney movies
Character Strengths
Top advice and articles
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.
Streaming options powered by JustWatch