Hey, everyone, first of all, hope you’re all doing well. Second, welcome to another session of movie reviewing! Now, a lot of you are familiar with some of James Cameron’s works, like Titanic, and the Avatar movies, yes? And some of you are familiar with movie directors like Gore Verbinski, who directed films like the Pirates Of The Caribbean trilogy, and the 2011 Paramount Pictures film, Rango, for example, are you not? Why am I bringing up both directors in today’s review, you may ask? Well, Cameron, because he released Titanic back on Friday, December 19th, 1997. And, as I’m sure many of us know, Titanic went on to become a really popular film, evidently making more money than many movies seemed to have made in theaters even back then. Not to mention that the movie got re-released in theaters for its 25th anniversary just a few years ago. Oh, and side note, I did see Titanic when it was re-released back in, I believe, February 2023, for its 25th anniversary. Another side note, for those of you that are newer to my blog, I did review Titanic shortly after that. So feel free to look for that review, if you’re interested. Anyway, on the same day that Titanic was first released, Gore Verbinski, who was fairly new to the movie making industry at the time, also came out with a comedy film that was a mostly family friendly movie. Oh, and did I forget to mention that this was one of the films to be released pre-Pirates Of The Caribbean? Well, that’s the subject of today’s review. Oh, but that’s not all. At the time that this film was released, DreamWorks was a fairly newer company that was founded by Jeffrey Katzenberg (who used to be one of the main leads at Disney, but unfortunately left on rather bitter terms with the company), David Geffen, and Steven Spielberg. What’s more is that this live-action DreamWorks movie was released just a year before the company gave the general public their very first two, of many, animated films, Antz, and The Prince Of Egypt (which were released in October 1998, and December 1998, respectively). Ladies, and gentlemen, I give you my review of what may be a fairly underrated family comedy film, and stars Nathan Lane, and Lee Evans. Ooh, and it’s probably worth noting that Christopher Walken is also in this film in a more minor role. Not to mention, that this movie was William Hickey’s last role, as he passed away just a few months before the film’s release. Anyway, I now give you all my review of Mouse Hunt. Let’s begin now!
Plot: After the passing away of their father, Rudolph Smuntz (William Hickey), brothers Ernie, and Lars Smuntz (Nathan Lane, and Lee Evans, respectively) are left with their father’s string factory, Smuntz String Co., and a large mansion. But after they occupy the house, they discover that the place is occupied by a tiny mouse. Now, before they get the house renovated, and auctioned, can the brothers get rid of the mouse, despite a series of mishaps that make the job not an easy task?
From at least the plot synopsis, this probably sounds like a simple children’s/family story, yes? Well, as it turns out, Mouse Hunt is maybe a little more complex in this case. On the surface, though it may be for kids in more ways than not, there is plenty for adults to recommend as well. Actually, as it turns out, basically all ages will be able to enjoy Mouse Hunt for a variety of reasons. For the kids, that will be for any scenes that involve the mouse, and any comedic moments. For teens, and adults, especially the latter group, it will be for not only the comedy especially, but also for some of the fairly heavy subject matters that are involved in this film, whether it’s learning to deal with living in, and/or paying for expensive homes, budgeting money, you name it. While kids might not care about such adults matters all that much, hopefully they’ll ask some questions here and there to their parents after seeing this film. Plus, how can you go wrong with actors like Lee Evans, and especially Nathan Lane? If you’re especially a fan of Lane, you’ll more than likely enjoy this film even more, especially since there’s a point where he makes a certain reference to a popular line from Disney’s The Lion King (ironic, considering Lion King came out 3, or 3 1/2 years before Mouse Hunt). I mean it might drag a little bit for the first 10, 15, maybe 20 minutes. However, after that, when main characters Ernie, and Lars get to the mansion, things begin to get more hysterical. Yes, even then, there will still be some serious, and even emotional moments from time to time. Still, the comedy helps carry this film from beginning to end. And quite honestly, instead of relying on mainly comedy to keep this film going, Mouse Hunt does well with balancing out the comedy, a good storyline, well developed characters, especially with the main characters, and more. Also, how could you not love even the mouse, who’s probably one of the more smarter mice to appear in specifically a live-action film? I mean with as much drama, and trouble as the mouse gives Ernie, and Lars, it makes this film all the more fun to watch. There are also really good supporting characters to go along for the ride, whether it’s Lars’ wife, April, a judge, a character named Alexander Falko, and an exterminator in this film named Caesar. One other thing to mention regarding the characters is that even though Ernie, and Lars may be polar opposites in terms of how they go about getting certain tasks done, they still seem to have good hearts. Even so, when I was a kid, I believed Ernie to be a villain (or starting out that way), and Lars being the hero. However, it would seem that it’s more that Ernie has maturing to do in his way of thinking, and Lars needs to help him along the way.
The score by Alan Sylvestri was also really fun, especially with all the instruments involved.
Additionally, there’s a little bit of fantasy involved in this film, particularly of a painting of Ernie, and Lars’ dad, Rudolph. Basically, there are points where Rudolph, in the painting, gives all kinds of expressions throughout the film, whether it’s feelings of happiness, a frown, or even of disgust at one point for reasons that I won’t go into.
In addition to all of this, other than there being a tiny bit of foul language, the script is also really brilliant. What’s more is that there is plenty of creativity, and heart, put into Mouse Hunt. Though Verbinski may have had slightly better films that followed like Pirates Of The Caribbean, he still knew how to get some creative flare even in Mouse Hunt as well. What’s even more is that this film is a good representation of what life is like from time to time, and the hardships that can sometimes go along with it.
What’s more is that there are really, really great lessons to take away from Mouse Hunt, whether it’s about learning to take care others, standing up for others, and yourself, and learning to be grateful for things that one does have in life.
Finally, there’s the ending for this film. I won’t give away how this film ends. However, I will at least say that you’d be surprised by how this film ends. It’s creative, and is a good surprise, and a good addition to an already good film.
But does this film have issues? A couple, yes. First of all, there are some times when the movie can feel a little crude at times. Thankfully that’s kept more to a minimum (which is more than one can say about later DreamWorks movies like Shrek, or, to a lesser degree, Antz, or The Road To El Dorado), but still. The other issue that Mouse Hunt has is that there are one, or two, points where film could be a little risqué for a family film. Yes, kids can still enjoy the film. It’s just that some kids, and for sure adults could be turned off especially by the latter flaw for this film.
And that’s my review for Mouse Hunt. Do I think Mouse Hunt is better, and/or should have made more money than Titanic? Other than Mouse Hunt being the more funny film, no, definitely not. Still, it was great to have this film released around Christmas time back in 1997. The characters are great. I mean come on, again with the actors, they were great. Also, the main characters, and even the supporting ones, are likable to one degree, or another. The storyline is also simple, but also fun, complex, and creative. Everything else like the score, and especially the comedy, which is one of the major selling points of this movie, make this movie all the more fun. These, along with any valuable lessons that can be taken away from this film, make Mouse Hunt truly worth your time. If you haven’t seen Mouse Hunt yet, definitely make it a point to. If you want a movie with mostly well-known actors, great comedy, a creative story, and valuable lessons to take away, then all the more reason to see Mouse Hunt. So if you still have yet to, please give this film a chance, and see what you think!
Final Rating: 9/10
Matthew’s Animated & Live-Action Movie Reviews 