Tom and Jerry The Movie movie review 2021

MOVIE TITLE: Tom & Jerry

Available on February 26, 2021 in select theaters and on HBO Max

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour 41 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B-

IN A NUTSHELL:

I’ve always loved movies that combine live-action with animation. This family-friendly movie might be the first introduction to some children of the beloved Hanna-Barbera cat and mouse characters. Fans of the legendary cartoon characters complained about their voices in the last Tom and Jerry: The Movie in 1992, so it was decided that they wouldn’t talk in this movie. The howls and screams that are heard in the film are actually from the archive recordings of William Hanna who did the original sound effects. It’s directed by Tim Story and written by Kevin Costello based on the characters created by Willam Hanna and Joseph Barbera back in 1940.

If you’re already a fan of Tom and Jerry, you’ll enjoy this movie just out of pure nostalgia and feel like a kid again. I don’t know that it’ll create any new fans from children watching it though. I was never a fan of the cartoons, so it felt like a big “Meh” for me.

THINGS I LIKED:

You get a true “bird’s eye” view of New York City in the opening credits and in quite a few scenes during the film. I always love it when New York City is one of the characters in a movie and you definitely get a flavor of the city.
I love Chloe Grace Moretz in everything she does. I’ve never seen her play a character quite like this before. Usually, she’s tough and edgy, but she shows a softer side in this children’s flick. A head’s up for parents though…she’s dishonest. You can check out my movie review of Shadow in the Cloud by clicking here. Another head’s up for parents though…it’s not a family-friendly film!
I’m always impressed with how comfortable Michael Pena is in rated R action movies, as well as in kid-friendly flicks.
Colin Jost from Saturday Night Live stars as the wealthy groom who is marrying the lovely Pallavi Sharda at the ritzy Royal Gate Hotel.
I love that some of the supporting cast from the cartoons are also included in the movie, such as alley cat Butch (Nicky Jam), Toodles, Spike (Bobby Cannavale), and the bully bulldog.
Funnyman Ken Jeong is always good for a few laughs, but he’s not in enough scenes to really save the film.
I’m amazed at how many movies have been produced at home during the Covid-19 quarantine. This film is one of them!
There’s a fun soundtrack that energizes many of the scenes.
All of the animals are animated in the movie, so I thought the fish in the fish market scene and the butterflies at the wedding were cute touches.
There’s a completely random character who works at the hotel who was supposedly raised by wolves.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

The 2D animation is very simplistic and true to its origins. I understand wanting to keep Tom and Jerry’s original look, but kids have more sophisticated expectations for the quality of animation these days. Fans of the cartoons will be taken back to their childhood, but children who are unfamiliar with the cartoon might wonder why they’re drawn in 2D.
The movie felt like two different movies meshed together. When Tom and Jerry were seen together, it looked and felt like some of their old episodes were just edited randomly into scenes of a more interesting Cloe Grace Moretz film.
The framing might prove problematic, depending on what size screen you watch this movie on.
As soon as you’re told that the fancy glass ceiling in the hotel is one-of-a-kind, you KNOW it’s going to be destroyed in a large fashion. In that regard, the movie’s beats are pretty predictable.
Some of the editing isn’t very smooth.
I talked with some kids and they thought the movie focused too much on Chloe Grace Moretz’s character. They just wanted to watch a funny cartoon movie.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Kids who are unfamiliar with Tom and Jerry won’t understand the long feud between them. They might be confused by why they’re sometimes friendly with each other and fighting the next.
Lots of cartoon violence, smoking, and alcohol, which has actually caused this franchise to be banned in some countries!
An animated goldfish speaks with a poop emoji.
Talk of PETA. Most kids won’t know what that is.
Some inappropriate images for kids.
Parents are going to be bored unless they loved watching these characters when they, themselves were kids.

THEMES:

Friendship
Responsibility
Second chances
Listening to each other
Love
Kindness

FUNNY LINES:

“I’m sorry. He’s a little animated.” – Ben (Colin Jost)
Referring to the engagement ring that Preeta wears, Kayla says, “You can see that thing from outer space!” Colin Jost’s character brags, “You can see our love from outer space.”
“You’re one of those Millennials who think they can get whatever they want whenever they want without working, preferably with free shipping.” – Terence (Michael Pena)