The Real Macaw

In the Amazon in 1850, Mac the blue-and-gold macaw explores a jungle temple full of treasure. Pirates arrive, force the natives to reveal the entrance, and capture Mac to take him aboard their ship. The captain gifts Mac a jeweled ring, then Mac escapes when torches are knocked over and the ship catches fire.

The ship burns and sinks as Mac escapes through an open window. He washes up in the South Pacific and lands on Coral Island, starting a new life far from the pirates. The journey marks the end of his captivity and the beginning of a long exile.

A century passes and the pirate arrives on Coral Island with a treasure chest salvaged from the wreck. He buries the chest in the forest and marks an X on a tree with his sword. Mac watches from a distance, unaware of the exact location.

In 1998, Mac is 149 years old and can imitate human speech after years of practice. He lives with a kind old man in Australia who cares for injured birds and is aware of Mac's talent. Sam Girdis, the caretaker's grandson, often visits, setting up the friendship that drives the adventure.

Grandpa falls from a tree while releasing a lorikeet and breaks his arm, prompting the family to visit him in the hospital. Rick reveals he owes money and has had to sell the house to cover debts, shocking Sam. The revelation adds pressure that motivates the upcoming plan.

Mac reveals to Sam that he can actually speak but keeps it secret to avoid being seen as a freak. He mimics the phone, kettle, and the family dog, Romper, which irritates Rick and fuels the plan to sell Mac. The bond between Sam and Mac deepens as they share the secret.

Sam learns that Mac is up for sale and rushes to the pet shop to save him from being sold. They flee on a bus, while Sam vents his frustration with his father and their home life. The escape marks the start of their joint quest to find the Coral Island treasure.

At Grandpa's house, Sam and Mac realize the ring could fetch money to save the home. They visit Dr. Hagen at the museum, who offers to buy the ring for 3,000 dollars if Sam brings it the next day. Hagen is revealed as a thief who steals artifacts for personal gain.

Sam and Mac decide to fly to Coral Island to find the treasure, disguising Mac as a puppet to avoid cargo hold travel. Hagen follows on the plane, increasing the danger. They land on Coral Island and begin their search toward the hill that leads to the old treasure location.

The duo discovers a resort now sits where the treasure should be, complicating the search. They are kicked out of the hotel for having a non-pet, and Hagen checks in. They improvise a vent-exit and later perform a ventriloquist act to win a free suite.

Hagen pays locals to help dig for the treasure while Sam and Mac hide from his suspicions. Hagen kidnaps Sam to force cooperation, but Mac spots the X-marked tree behind them and they race to reach the treasure. They escape through a maintenance tunnel toward the treasure site.

Sam and Mac reach the tree and uncover the buried treasure, but Hagen arrives with security, triggering a chase. They escape into a river harbor after a perilous rooftop dash and a dramatic fall. In the final confrontation, Hagen is defeated as a boat explodes when a lit cigar hits leaking fuel, seemingly killing Hagen and Mac.

Sam survives the explosion and is rescued by his father and grandfather who arrive with the police. Rick and Grandpa resolve misunderstandings and pledge to support the family, while it is revealed that Mac is alive and rescued from the wreckage. The group reconciles as Hagen is arrested.

The treasure is recovered, but Grandpa declines it, declaring that riches belong to the people. Sam returns the treasure to the temple in the Amazon and is hailed as a hero. Mac decides to remain in the rainforest with his family, ending his long journey and reuniting with his mother.