This signature song from the movie has become a classic in its own right. Played at senior banquets and a near certainty for any karaoke event, "Somewhere Out There" is a touching song that sums up the basic premise of the movie and can be used to fit any situation in which two people who care for each other are parted. I found it interesting when I discovered that this song and "My Heart Will Go On" were both written by James Horner, because I had just mentioned to my family that "My Heart Will Go On" seemed to me like almost the same song. The music, words, and context are entirely different, but I felt these two beautiful songs said the exact same thing.

But enough about the song. On to the story. "An American Tail" begins on a winter's eve in Russia near the turn of the century. The Mouskiewitz family is huddled inside, sharing a quiet Chanukah, when the town's tranquility is shattered by an attack by soldiers who bring their cats with them. As the human villagers have their homes pillaged, the mice are tormented by the ferocious felines. Young Fievel Mouskiewitz dashes outside to bravely confront the beasts, nearly killing himself in the process. When he returns, the family decides that it's time to head for that magical land called America.

On the boat, Fievel's curiosity gets the better of him and he wanders too close to the ship's edge just as the weather is turning foul. His father is unable to rescue him as Fievel is swept away by the tide, seemingly never to be seen again.

The rest of the movie follows the exploits of the Mouskiewitz family in New York City...and the attempts of Fievel, who has landed via bottle in New York, to find them. While the family deals with the loss of Fievel, they also are forced to face a very difficult reality. On the ship, mice from around the world shared horror stories of cats in their own corners of the world, but they all agreed that "there are no cats in America and the streets are paved with cheese." Once they have reached their destination, they are faced with the harsh reality of the tough city streets and, most importantly, the realization that cats are as much of a problem here as anywhere else.

While Fievel's primary goal is to be reunited with his family, he has many adventures along the way and more than once becomes so disillusioned he nearly gives up his search. He forges an unlikely friendship with a Cowardly Lion-like cat and discovers that even a tiny creature like himself can make a big difference.

The entire movie is also a history lesson showing the plight of immigrants at the turn of the century. Many scenes parallel the humans' actions with those of the mice; we see them occur simultaneously. This brilliant piece of historical fiction is a delight for all ages. Like "The Land Before Time," it shows how determination and love can triumph over adversity.

And as so often is the case, it is the starry-eyes youths who keep the faith and, in the end, are proven right. While the other members of Fievel's family have accepted his death, his sister Tanya is convinced that he is still "somewhere out there," and her words are enough to inspire anyone.

"Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer that we'll find one another in the big somewhere out there...Somewhere out there if love can see us through, then we'll be together somewhere out there, out where dreams come true."

Don Bluth reviews:
All Dogs Go to Heaven
An American Tail
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West
The Secret of NIMH
Land Before Time
Anastasia

Recommended: Yes