It’s been 81 years and they are still fighting, I guess there is no friendship like the one Tom and Jerry has.
The famous cat and mouse finally made their feature film debut and somehow it makes 2021 better than 2020. Last year we had to beg for new movies. Cinemas were closed and the only things worth watching turned out to be an underwhelming mess, looking at you Wonder Woman 1984.
The movie starts out like a typical Tom and Jerry episode, but this time they live in the real world. Apparently the movie is a sort of ‘origin story’, but we don’t need that when it comes to Tom and Jerry, we just want to enjoy all their shenanigans.
What makes it unique from the TV show is the inclusion of live action human characters that interact with the duo as if they’re actual animal. This makes the movie a sort-of mash-up between Space Jam, and Tom and Jerry.
Thankfully the animators did an awesome job with the titular characters and the other animated characters. It’s as if the 2D world brings new life to our boring 3D reality. The rest of the film isn’t flawless.
While the limelight does shine on the titular characters, most of the story revolves around the live action characters. Leaving Tom and Jerry as some kind of afterthought and while this does suck, the acting is splendid. Chloë Grace Moretz, Michael Peña, Colin Jost, and Rob Delaney perfectly blend with the animated characters and they have a few shining moments.
The plot however is a cliché and predictable. Like most things coming out of Hollywood recently, it seems like the same old story rehashed and shot with a few new characters. The movie might seem too campy at times, but it does give you a sense of nostalgia.
We also have to remember that this movie is made for the new generation and it can’t be as hardcore or out-of-the-box as the Tom and Jerry we grew up with. That said, it still feels good to see these familiar characters on the silver screen.
A legendary rivalry reemerges when Jerry moves into New York City’s finest hotel on the eve of the wedding of the century, forcing the desperate event planner to hire Tom to get rid of him. As mayhem ensues, the escalating cat-and-mouse battle soon threatens to destroy her career, the wedding, and possibly the hotel itself.
My Verdict
Well the movie is just what we need at this time; it does fall short to a certain degree. Don’t go expecting the wild side of Tom and Jerry, just enjoy the movie for what it is, a good family piece. I will definitely recommend it to those who are on a journey of nostalgia or those who want to share a piece of their childhood with their children. It might not be perfect, but I believe the Tom and Jerry is worth the watch.
My Rating: 6.2 out of 10 – Good
Go check out Tom and Jerry. Now playing at Ster-Kinekor Namibia.
