Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that although this animated series (part of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim lineup) features animals and might appear harmless at very first glance, watching for even a few minutes will convince you that this isn't one for the kids. Protagonist Mouse Fitzgerald is an unapologetic alcoholic who doesn't follow rules, and the other characters in his world aren't much better. Toss in some bathroom humor (in one episode a character relieves himself in a car, filling it to the roof with urine) and violence (a pig's throat is cut, and the animal is gutted), and you get the idea.
Families can discuss gross-out humor. What makes jokes about bodily functions so funny? Why do some people find that kind of humor so much more amusing than others do? When does it cross the line? Does Fitz have any redeeming qualities whatsoever? If not, do you care?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Lucy Maher
A fitting show for Cartoon Network's edgy, late-night Adult Swim block, 12 OZ. MOUSE follows the exploits of Mouse Fitzgerald, also known as "Fitz," an unapologetic alcoholic who's always getting into trouble.
The show's animation is crude at best; the characters have limited motion and make the South Park kids look like carefully drawn masterpieces. But even top-of-the-line 3D computer graphics wouldn't hide the fact that Fitz (voiced by Matt Maiellaro) is an anarchist who obeys no one and that his best buddies are a ruthless bully, a giant eyeball with legs, and a police officer who's often high on pot.
Prompted by visions of once being married and having a child, Fitz looks for answers about his past in each episode. But he suspects that many of the characters he comes into contact with during his search are out to get him, lending the show a dark, sinister slant.
Like many Adult Swim shows, 12 oz. Mouse strings together random scenes that seem to have little continuity. What viewers can count on are scenes involving guns, excessive drinking, and Fitz's bitter rants -- in other words, not exactly kid-friendly stuff. Parents with teens who are interested in watching should preview an episode or two before letting them tune in on their own.
Fans might also like Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law or Drawn Together.
Rate It!
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ViolenceAnimated mouse casually uses automatic weapons to slay his enemies and knives to kill animals. |
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Language"Holy crap," "this blows," etc. |
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Social BehaviorFitz drowns himself in alcohol to forget his problems. He's an anarchist who doesn't follow rules and does whatever he feels like. |
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Commercialism |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoThe main character is an alcoholic and is always drinking. One character smokes pot. |
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