"An American Tail: Fievel Goes West" would seem to be geared more for a younger audience, although little ones may be bored during some of the film's sluggish first half. And the few songs here are not particularly memorable.
Still, there are plenty of rousing scenes - especially when the Western spoofery goes into full gear in the final third or so. And Steven Spielberg's insistence that the film be shot as if it were live-action has provided some remarkably flamboyant sequences.
The story has Fievel's immigrant family being coerced by an evil cat (voiced by John Cleese) into leaving New York and heading out West. Fievel again becomes separated from the clan and has to find his way home, with help from Tiger, the big, dumb cat that was his best friend in the first film and is again voiced by Dom DeLuise. James Stewart's vocal cords also put in an appearance as the voice of an over-the-hill dog, Sheriff Wylie Burp.
DeLuise has the best lines, some genuinely funny asides, and it's always fun to see . . . er, in this case, hear Stewart.
Spielberg's influence is evident in the film's penchant for "Indiana Jones"-style adventure, including multiple climaxes one after another, and sometimes it's just too much.
But on the whole, this is an enjoyable entry in the animation sweepstakes and kids in particular should have a great time.