Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (PG, 1989)

common sense media says

Two-dimensional fun.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film discusses marital woes and depicts a neighbor belittling his son (pun intended). It also shows children fighting for survival in an immense, threatening yard.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence & scariness: Between insects only (an ant and a scorpion).
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: This is part of the Honey... series, which includes movies, a TV series and a Disney ride.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the nerdy inventor character. Does this character seem familiar? What other movies can you think of that have a character like this? Why do we see so many stereotypes in movies? Does this bother you?

What's the story?

What's the story?
HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS gets rolling when nerdy inventor Wayne Szalinski (Rick Moranis) accidentally shrinks his kids Amy and Nick, as well as neighbor kid Ron. Faced with giant insects and other perils like lawnmowers and sprinklers, the trio must rely on their stamina and ingenuity in order to survive a day and night in an overlarge world. They also make many attempts to alert the adults to their whereabouts.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Two-dimensional characters play second fiddle to the visual effects of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. The gizmos are fun and plentiful, and Rick Moranis does what he can with the all-too-familiar role of the nerdy, misunderstood inventor. Moranis is actually more endearing and low-key here than we're used to seeing him, in part because he isn't given all that much to do, and also because he's the most sympathetic and appealing character the film has to offer. Even with imperiled kids riding bees or dodging giant water drops, it's hard to muster up enough enthusiasm to root for the would-be heroes.

The film's real disappointment isn't its short-of-cash special effects -- they're fun in their cheesy way -- but its ham-handedness in dealing with the emotional aspects of the story. There's no life to the budding romance between two teens from opposite sides of the fence, and the idea of an ant befriending four tiny humans provides a few needed chuckles where none are intended. Suffice to say that if a shrinking machine could not only shrink stuff but repair shaky marriages and reconcile family strife with the flip of a switch, somebody would have invented one by now.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Buena Vista
Director: Joe Johnston
Cast: Marcia Strassman, Matt Frewer, Rick Moranis
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 101 minutes
Theatrical release: June 23, 1989
DVD release: October 8, 2002
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: thematic intensity

This review was written by Scott G. Mignola
 
 

Review It

 

Review Honey, I Shrunk the Kids





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

What parents & educators say

7

Most useful reviews by all members

 
Classic family fun
As a Disney Cast Member who works at the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" playground at Disney's Hollywood Studios, I -may- be a little biased here...nonetheless, being able to work in an area which allows me to reminisce upon my childhood is a dream come true. Many kids who come to our playgorund haven't seen the movie it's based on, and the generation gap is only growing. It's a sad thing, really...but the movie's great! Visual effects are on par with 1989, and I don't feel at all concerned with the 'violence' they speak of. Kids are going to have to face facts about the food chain eventually, and what better way to start? I'd recommend this movie to any macro/micro fans...(shameless plug) and after that, come visit the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids playground at Disney's Hollywood Studios for more sizable fun!

 
Classic!
i think this film is just a classic , you cant beat it! its funnty too , its mostly aimed for teenagers and i loved it! i loved it as a child and i still love it now!

ladyslayer27
teen, 15 years old
 
good movie,very intense fantasy violence and peril however...
one part is NOT for sensitive kids. the characters friend,the cute and fun ant,is killed by a skunkbag scorpion,in a suprisingly gruesome fashion.I ran into my kitchen blatting all night on that one part.awesome movie overall however!!!must see for kids of whom arent sensitive.

Lupinta
kid, 11 years old
 
Great Movie
2 neighbors connect when a father screws up a good movie.

 
cheap effects
the grass and bugs look so fake and underbugeted. the storyline is boring. however it is a good way to help kids develop their imaginations cause the young ones will be playing "tiny" after they see this movie.

dressagehorse
teen, 13 years old
 
One of the best
This is one of the few movies that has made onto my top all-time favorite movies. It is hilarious and the actors all play their parts very well, along with having a fun adventure along the way. A perfect family movie.

dramaqueen@hot ...
parent of 11 year old
 
funny fanasty!
Funny fanasty love this movie lets get tiny yeah!

Sanjay407
kid, 13 years old
 
I like it
I'ts awesome!!!!

hamstergurl09
teen, 17 years old
 
This Movie Has Earned The Hamstergurl09 Seal of Approval.
I haven't seen it in a few years, so I can't remember a few parts, but I remember the majority of the movie. It's not bad. It's actually pretty good. Check it out, maybe you'll like it, too.

mkalv
teen, 17 years old
 
This "classic" isn't so good.
For a classic, this film wasn't special. It wasn't even that funny.

 
OK for family viewing
We watched this with our 5 1/2 year old twins. Parts of it were rather intense for them (ant v. scorpion fight), but overall we enjoyed it. However, this is not a movie that I would let them watch by themselves. They had many questions and needed reassuring that everything would be fine in the end.

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you see Honey, I Shrunk the Kids?


Already seen it? What do you think?

 

About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age