Movie: Tom & Jerry The Movie

Younger children are the most likely to enjoy the movie  Tom & Jerry The Movie

This was certainly the case with my movie companions, with the youngest (aged 10) giving it the highest rating.

Unlike the animated Tom and Jerry cartoons, the movie version is a hybrid, featuring the animated duo alongside a full cast of actors.  As a result, the movie switches between ‘a real life’ story and animated slapstick comedy.

Both Tom and Jerry have moved to New York and after unsuccessfully searching for a new home, Jerry discovers the Royal Gate Hotel meets all his requirements.

Needless to say, a mouse is the last thing the five-star hotel wants, especially when it is about to stage the wedding of the century between celebrity groom Ben  (Colin Jost) and his very wealthy bride, Preeta (Pallavi Sharda).

Enter Kayla (Chloe Grace Moretz), a young woman who has lied her way into a junior position at the hotel to work at the wedding.

She volunteers to take on the job of removing Jerry from the hotel. After being continually outsmarted by Jerry, Kayla hires Tom.  He is only too happy to take on the task, especially after Jerry has previously sabotaged his piano playing gig in Central Park.

After several battles between Tom and Jerry resulting in extensive damage to the hotel, Kayla encourages the two to work together instead of continually fighting.

Her actions cause resentment, especially with her supervisor Terence (Michael Peña), who works to undo all she has achieved.

The eventual wedding, which includes animated elephants, results in major chaos.

It’s easy to understand why critics have been less than complimentary about the movie given that adults have been recently spoilt with family movies that cater for both adults and younger audience members.  At the same time judging by the giggles in the audience, young kids of today, as in years gone by, still love watching the high-jinks and continual battles between Tom and Jerry.

Tom and Jerry The Movie screens in cinemas nationally from April 1.

*Photo Credit: Tom and Jerry,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures