'The Rescuers Down Under' is a Disney cartoon that was released in 1990. At the time of its release, it flopped, but not due to its quality — it was simply released at the same time as the hit 'Home Alone,' aimed directly at the same audience. Over time, viewers remembered and appreciated the stunningly beautiful story about nature conservation and the fight for justice.
What the Cartoon 'The Rescuers Down Under' is About
A boy named Cody, living in the Australian outback, communicates with animals and tries to save them from poachers. One day, he frees a female wedge-tailed eagle from captivity, but then finds himself trapped. The poacher takes Cody hostage, demanding that he reveal where to find the rare bird. The alert about the kidnapped child reaches the USA, where the headquarters of the international 'Rescue Aid Society,' organized by mice, is located. They send two of their best agents to Australia — American Bernard and Miss Bianca from Hungary. Bernard is not pleased, as he had planned to propose to his partner.
Why You Should Watch 'The Rescuers Down Under'
Watching it now is just as interesting as it was 30 years ago. Here’s why.
1. It’s a sequel that turned out to be more interesting than the first part
Among movie lovers, the term 'the curse of sequels' has taken hold, where too much is expected from a continuation of a beloved story, leading to disappointment. There are only a few examples that break this rule: 'Terminator,' 'The Godfather,' 'The Dark Knight.' 'The Rescuers Down Under' can confidently be added to the list of exceptions. The first part, simply titled 'The Rescuers,' was released in 1977 and is wonderful. The plot tells the story of the first joint mission of Miss Bianca and Bernard, who previously worked as a janitor. However, the 1990 sequel, although it did not gain fame upon its release, is brighter, more dynamic, and funnier. Now the heroes travel to an exotic location, face a more dangerous opponent, and simultaneously depict Cody's own attempts to escape — he teams up with the animals captured by the poacher.
2. The cartoon is dedicated to nature conservation
At first glance, 'The Rescuers Down Under' is just a fun adventure story about cute mice overcoming numerous dangers. But in reality, the cartoon, for the first time in Disney's history after 'Bambi,' addresses the theme of nature conservation. It is very sad that the poacher, who has already killed a rare eagle and kidnapped many animals, is completely unafraid of the rangers, and it falls to a child and his companions to fight against the villain. The moment when a koala tells other animals in cages what will happen to each of them is played for comedy. But in reality, it is horrific and cruel: some will be used for fur, others for leather for bags.
3. It’s a story about the strength of the weak
The very idea that small animals stand up to a large, armed man is amusing and instructive. Interestingly, 'The Rescuers Down Under' was released a year after the start of the animated series 'Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers,' which has a similar premise. But this story not only entertains but also shows that seemingly weak heroes can win, as it is not brute strength that matters, but cleverness. It is equally important that the heroes act together and help each other. The very idea that information about the kidnapping of a child is transmitted literally around the world and everyone wants to help is very inspiring. A special charm lies in the images of the main duo. In this story, Miss Bianca is not just a beautiful companion. She is the bravest heroine, who fearlessly rushes to help. Bernard initially seems too timid, but in reality, he is just modest and cautious, and at the right moment, he proves himself to be a true hero.
4. 'The Rescuers Down Under' is still fun to watch
Those who watched the cartoon as children surely remember that it is very beautiful and cheerful. Primarily, the secondary characters provide entertainment. For example, the poacher has a lizard named Joanna, who is funny in literally every scene. It is simply impossible not to love the albatross Wilbur, who the heroes use to get to Australia — he delivers an endless stream of gags. He even gets a separate storyline related to back treatment. Spoiler: the mice shoot Wilbur with painkillers in a sensitive spot from a double-barreled shotgun. To better capture the landscapes and animals, the animators actually flew to Australia. Therefore, every frame is filled with important little details, and the diversity of flora and fauna is simply breathtaking. Together with the captivating plot, all this creates a cartoon that flies by in one breath.
