On February 25, the distribution of the hybrid film Tom and Jerry began in Russia, where cartoon characters share screen time with live actors. The European premiere took place earlier, and received very mixed reviews. I have seen the film and am ready to discuss whether it is worth spending time on the adventures of the cat and the mouse myself and showing it to children. In short, it’s worth it, but it’s better to lower your expectations.
In the rays of past glory
The peak of Tom and Jerry’s popularity is long behind us. Of course, short cartoons about famous characters are released regularly, but the modern viewer has other heroes. However, no matter how much we stare at other cartoons, we remember Tom and Jerry right away. The cat and the mouse are an incredibly recognizable duet. It’s like Mario or Sonic: you don’t have to love games to know these guys. It is not surprising that a feature-length movie about famous characters was expected.
Particular attention was drawn to the hybrid genre chosen by the authors. It would seem that works where both cartoons and live actors are present on the screen at once are a long-forgotten craft. Major hits like “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” and “Space Jam” have been out too long, and 3D has ruled the ball for years. However, the producers decided on a risky gamble and invited Chloe Grace Moretz and Michael Peña to join Tom and Jerry. Famous actors, grandiose plans, a budget of $ 50 million … Was the final result worth it? Complex issue.
Copy paste
In the story, the unlucky girl Kayla can’t find a place in life, while her peers brag about their successes on Instagram. One day, a chance brings her to an elite hotel, where the heroine learns about a very interesting vacancy: a couple of famous lovers will soon visit the majestic place, and the banquet hall will become their wedding venue – and the owners of the establishment need a specialist who will make sure that everything goes like clockwork.
The sleazy Kayla tricks the top job applicant, steals his resume, and makes herself out to be the best choice. The consent of the employer will not keep you waiting. Unfortunately, the cute mouse Jerry settles with her in the hotel, and catching him is the main task of the heroine, with whom, of course, Tom will help.
The movie tells a fairly simple story, each element of which the viewer has repeatedly encountered somewhere else. Is it bad? The film never claims to be a masterpiece of cinema, so probably not. There is a place for funny situations, Tom chasing Jerry, romance, a bit of sadness, the transformation of heroes and a pleasant happy ending. It’s just fun to watch after all. But exactly once.
This is not a Pixar movie that you can watch for the tenth time and still shed a tear at a particularly touching moment. An adult viewer will not find much meaning and valuable morality in the story, and the younger generation can get tired of long episodes where the cartoons are left overboard.
It is worth noting that, despite the recognizable names in the title, the main characters of the film are by no means Tom and Jerry, but the character of Chloe Grace Moretz. It is her experiences that are in the center of the frame, it is her decisions that drive the plot.
The cat and the mouse are here solely to amuse the viewer and make him remember his younger years. And this they, albeit with varying degrees of success, still succeed. Episodes of confrontation between Tom and Jerry often cause a smile, and sometimes sincere laughter. This, of course, is not Borat 2, not all jokes can be called successful, but the characters justify their appearance.
The various references are especially good: although they are criminally few, they amuse to glory. They could be seen already on the first posters. It’s impossible not to chuckle when Jerry parodies Neo from The Matrix and Tom is Frankenstein’s creepy monster.
But with live actors on the screen, the film begins to rapidly lose charisma. Many reviewers criticize the game of Chloe Grace Moretz and Michael Peña, but I would not repeat after them. Chloe makes cute faces and often quite convincingly pretends to be talking to a cunning mouse, and not to animation. Michael diligently portrays a funny antagonist. The only problem is that there is, in fact, nothing to play for unconditionally talented actors.
The story is simply not designed for the Stanislavsky system – it was clear from the first trailer. The only dramatic episode takes place just before the very end, and even that is decided in five minutes of timing. Everything else in the film is… normal: the actors play normally.
the plot is normal, and the impressions after viewing are normal. There is a feeling that the producers were too afraid to stumble, cross an imaginary line and offend someone, that they cut with a knife most of the ideas that could evoke at least some emotions. Tom and Jerry alone sometimes rock this moderation boat.
Deceive, manipulate, beat the cat with a hot iron
Tom and Jerry have retained a recognizable style of communication: they fight with bats, throw irons, run after each other with chainsaws. Anyone who loved the animated series as a child will notice that the intensity of madness has nevertheless decreased – however, critics managed to smash the work for excessive cruelty and called for a ban on viewing for children. Although the film received a rating of “6+”, and even the flowers of life of this age are perfectly prepared for the playful brawls of animals.
The reviewers do not forget to speak scathingly about the decisions of Kayla, who got a job by deception. For me, this is a nitpick, because in the finale the main characters will definitely realize their mistakes, draw conclusions and become better.
