Friday Movie Review - An American Tail

Today I have a very special Reader's Request, because it doesn't come from a kitty! It comes from a bean named Jason who lives like a squillion miles away. He is my mommy's friend. They instant message each other lots. I don't know much about him, because I've never talked to him or met him, but I know he is a math major in college and he has a doggie named Hunter. And he reads my movie reviews! I feel honored that someone outside of our kitty blogging world pays attention to my blog, so I thought I would review his movie for him today. Jason wanted me to review "An American Tail," because he was interested to know what a kitty's opinion of it would be.

An American Tail (1986)
Directed By: Don Bluth
Written By: Judy Freudberg

This story is about Fievel Mousekewitz and his adventure as his family immigrates from Russia to the United States. The Mousekewitz family decides to leave their homeland because they are being terrorized by the Russian kitties, and they have heard that there are no kitties in America. As they travel across the ocean in their boat, Fievel is washed overboard during a terrible storm and is separated from his family. Luckily, Fievel survives and lands ashore near the Statue of Liberty. Fievel manages to make some new friends quickly, and begins his search for his family.

Kitties, if your mommy is as weepy as my mommy is, you may not be able to watch this movie with them. My mommy can't watch without getting upset and leaky-eyed. Also, if you aren't willing to admit that maybe some kitties are less than perfect furries, you probably shouldn't watch this movie either. There is really only one decent and friendly kitty in this movie, a ginger mancat named Tiger. Other than him, kitties are portrayed as bad and evil furries. I suppose this might be fair from a mousie's perspective, but it certainly doesn't feel good to see your furry kind cast in the role of evil and corrupt despots.

If you can overlook the slur to all of kitty-kind, this is a great movie. It is based, of course, on the surge of immigration to America from Russia in the early 20th century. The kitties represent the corrupt and tyrannical aspects of government/society, both in Russia and in the United States at that time. For any bean or kitty who is in to History as much as my mommy is, you will enjoy watching the parallels. This movie is not only safe but is also educational for sticky little beans, kittens, and puppies. However, I have to warn you that some bits are a little bit scary, and parts of it are super upsetting, like when Fievel is first separated from his family.

I give "An American Tail" two paws up and a chirp for being not only family friendly, but providing a unique perspective of bean history. (I also throw in one little hiss for not having more nice kitties in the film.)

And don't forget that the movie gave us this great song!
Click here for a clip featuring "Somewhere Out There"
(Be prepared to get leaky-eyed.)

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In other news, I almost forgot to thank Karen Jo for giving me this totally pawsome award! Karen Jo has a great blog devoted to limericks for us kitties, and she is a very caring and creative ladybean. That's why it means so much to me that she gave me this award because she enjoys visiting and reading my blog. Wow, Karen Jo, you are the best!