An American Tail: Fievel Goes West Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A small mouse drags his family out west to be turned into cat food, but luckily a dog and a fat cat saves them all, inspired by every western movie.

🍿 An American Tail: Fievel Goes West: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Mousekewitz Family Moves West

Some time after settling in America, the Mousekewitz family still faces problems with cats. Lured by the promise of harmony between cats and mice in the West, they decide to relocate. Papa, Mama, Fievel, and Tanya embark on a journey westward, hoping for a better life free from the constant threat of feline predators.

Cat R. Waul’s Deceptive Plot

Unbeknownst to the Mousekewitz family, the promise of peace is a ruse orchestrated by the sly Cat R. Waul. His true intention is to lure mice to the West and turn them into mouse burgers. This deception sets the stage for a perilous adventure, as Fievel and his family unknowingly walk into a trap.

Fievel’s Discovery and Separation

During the journey, Fievel overhears Cat R. Waul’s sinister plan. While attempting to warn his family, he is knocked off the train and becomes separated from them. Lost in the wilderness, Fievel must find his way back to his family and expose Cat R. Waul’s scheme before it’s too late.

Tiger’s Journey West

Meanwhile, Tiger, Fievel’s cat friend, follows the Mousekewitz family westward, hoping to reunite with Miss Kitty. His journey is fraught with comedic challenges, including encounters with dog catchers and a run-in with Native American mice who mistake him for a god. Tiger’s determination to reach the West adds a humorous subplot to the main narrative.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Fievel (Phillip Glasser): A young, adventurous mouse who dreams of the Wild West and becoming a lawman.
• Cat R. Waul (John Cleese): A smooth-talking, villainous cat who tricks mice into building his town with sinister intentions.
• Tiger (Dom DeLuise): Fievel’s loyal and comical cat friend who follows Miss Kitty west and becomes a reluctant hero.
• Wylie Burp (James Stewart): A retired, legendary dog sheriff who reluctantly trains Tiger and helps Fievel.
• Tanya (Cathy Cavadini): Fievel’s older sister, who dreams of becoming a singer and finds opportunity in the West.
• Miss Kitty (Amy Irving): A kind-hearted saloon singer who befriends Tanya and finds love with Tiger.
• Papa (Nehemiah Persoff): Fievel’s loving father who seeks a better life for his family in the West.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Wylie Burp: “Just remember, Fievel – one man’s sunset is another man’s dawn. I don’t know what’s out there beyond those hills. But if you ride yonder… head up, eyes steady, heart open… I think one day you’ll find that you’re the hero you’ve been looking for.” – Wylie gives Fievel words of encouragement and wisdom before Fievel sets out to confront the villainous cats.
• Cat R. Waul: “Pussy-poo!” – Cat R. Waul uses this as an affectionate term, showcasing his oily and somewhat sinister personality.
• Tiger: “Dogfish?!” – Tiger is surprised and confused when he encounters a ‘Dogfish’, demonstrating his naivete in the ways of the west.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $28,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $22,166,041
• Worldwide Gross: $40,766,041

💥 An American Tail: Fievel Goes West Reviews

Personal Review

As a kid, I loved Fievel! I remember being so excited when ‘Fievel Goes West’ came out. The idea of a mouse cowboy was so cool to me. The movie captured the essence of classic Westerns but in a way that was accessible and fun. It also made me want to be a cowboy…or a mouse cowboy at least. I still enjoy watching it today, brings back such good memories. The part where Tanya sings ‘Dreams to Dream’ always gets me!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families looking for a light-hearted adventure movie”
  • “Fans of Westerns and animated films”
  • “Viewers who enjoy classic animated movies from the 1990s”
  • “Those who appreciated the original ‘An American Tail'”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some scenes of peril and mild cartoon violence”
  • “Brief moments of animal cruelty (typical for animated films)”
  • “Potentially outdated cultural representations of Native American characters”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While not as emotionally resonant as the original, ‘Fievel Goes West’ offers a delightful Western-themed adventure with crisp animation and memorable voice performances, especially from James Stewart. It’s a solid family film.
• New York Times: “A lighter and more comedic sequel, ‘An American Tail: Fievel Goes West’ trades the original’s sentimentality for slapstick. John Cleese is a standout as the villainous Cat R. Waul, even though the overall story lacks depth.
• Los Angeles Times: “The animation shines, but the narrative is not as powerful as in the first film. ‘Fievel Goes West’ is still an enjoyable family adventure with a Western twist, with themes about finding one’s courage.

Audience Reactions

The catchy songs and the beautiful animation were the highlight for most viewers.: Most people agreed that the voice acting was superb, especially John Cleese as the villainous Cat R. Waul and James Stewart. The fast-paced plot and humour made it a great watch for families.

Overall Consensus: A fun and lighthearted sequel that trades the original’s emotional depth for more comedy and adventure, enjoyable for families.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “James Stewart’s role as Wylie Burp was his final film appearance.”
• “The film was the inaugural release for Steven Spielberg’s Amblimation studio, which was formed from the animation staff of ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit?’ after Richard Williams’ studio closed.”
• “John Cleese initially turned down the role of Cogsworth in Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ to voice Cat R. Waul.”

🖥️ How to Watch An American Tail: Fievel Goes West?

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West is available to rent or purchase on various digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for broadcast options. Some platforms may also offer a free trial for new subscribers. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray are also available through major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed An American Tail: Fievel Goes West, you might like these similar films:

• An American Tail (1986): Preceding film in the franchise with the same characters and themes of immigration and perseverance.
• The Rescuers Down Under (1990): An animated adventure where a young protagonist must save the day with the help of animal friends, featuring a journey to a new and exciting location.
• Rango (2011): A modern animated Western featuring a protagonist who finds himself in a leadership role in a quirky desert town.
• Balto (1995): An animated adventure film with animals from around the same era

🛒 An American Tail: Fievel Goes West Related Products

• An American Tail: The Complete Collection [DVD]: Relive the classic adventures of Fievel Mousekewitz with this complete collection, including ‘An American Tail’ and ‘Fievel Goes West’. Great value for fans of the series.
• An American Tail: Fievel Goes West – Character Plush Set: A collectible plush set featuring Fievel, Tiger, and Wylie Burp. These high-quality plush toys capture the charm of the characters.
• An American Tail: Fievel’s Wild West Adventure – Kids’ Game: An interactive adventure game where kids can play as Fievel and explore the Wild West. Features puzzles, mini-games, and characters from the movie.
• An American Tail: Fievel Goes West – Movie Poster: A high-quality movie poster featuring the iconic artwork from ‘An American Tail: Fievel Goes West’. A perfect addition to any movie lover’s collection.

🎧 Soundtrack

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Dreams to Dream” – performed by Cathy Cavadini
• “Way Out West” – performed by James Horner
• “The Girl You Left Behind” – performed by James Horner

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West – Nostalgia Critic

Ever wondered why *Fievel Goes West* doesn’t quite live up to the original *An American Tail*? Nostalgia Critic breaks it down in this hilarious and insightful review. He points out all the quirks and missteps – you might even agree with him!

Did you know this about FIEVEL GOES WEST

Did you know Jimmy Stewart was in Fievel Goes West? This quick video reveals a cool fact about his involvement and Spielberg’s reaction. Spielberg wasn’t even credited?! Check it out!

Did you know this about FIEVEL GOES WEST

Celine Dion was supposed to sing a song for *Fievel Goes West*? Find out why she was replaced and how she ultimately got the last laugh with *Titanic*. It is pretty interesting, right?

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