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Tom and Jerry Tales

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Almost the Tom and Jerry you remember.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 6 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    You certainly wouldn't want your kids (or even your cat) behaving like this.
  • Violence & scariness:

    This series was supposed to be as "violent" as the original Tom and Jerry (which was known for its extremes), but in the end, it pulls its punches and never surpasses the level of the original Bugs Bunny cartoons. Characters are smashed by anvils, fried by waffle irons, and so on, but they're never hurt permanently.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Tom and Jerry Tales was written by KJ Dell Antonia

Parents need to know that this show features brand-new Tom and Jerry adventures that are animated in what's considered the "classic" manner. That means two things: First, they're drawn in pen and ink, and second, they're full of gleeful, goofy, consequence-free violence in the manner of all the old Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera shorts.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about Tom and Jerry's relationship. Why are they always out to get each other? Why is it funny to watch them get hurt (and hurt each other)? Why can something be funny on TV but dangerous in real life? How are the new episodes similar to and different from the old classics? Families can also discuss the difference between the pen-and-ink animation used here and in older cartoons, and the flash and computer animation techniques seen in the modern stuff. Can you see a difference? Which do you prefer?
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More on Tom and Jerry Tales

What’s the Story?

TOM AND JERRY TALES welcomes back everyone's favorite cat-and-mouse pair in their umpteenth TV incarnation. The content of the shorts (three per episode) follows the classic cartoon tradition pretty closely, too. Characters are flattened beneath anvils, swatted into various shapes (by rackets and waffle irons and whatnot), and generally abused, yet they still pop back up to run and chase another day. Tom (voiced by Don Brown), in particular, is still the bad cat he always was.

Is It Any Good?

What's different this time around? Thankfully, not the animation, which bills itself as being done in the old, pen-and-ink Hanna-Barbera style and comes pretty close to living up to the claim. Two things are missing in this iteration: the connection to the music (which was one of Tom and Jerry's great strengths in its heyday) and a certain internal logic. Once, Tom chased Jerry (Sam Vincent) primarily because cats chase mice. Sure, they might be competing for food, or Tom might think he planned to eat Jerry, but in general, that was the plot. Occasionally, a dog would be added. Tom and Jerry Tales has a lot more surrounding plot rigmarole that doesn't serve any purpose other than detracting from the basic comedic premise. Which, in the end, begs a question: Why an all-new Tom and Jerry? The best answer seems to be Why not?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on and give it 3.0

    FUNNY

    THIS WAS SO SWEET

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Indiana
    I rate this title off and give it 1.0

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Indiana
    I rate this title off and give it 1.0

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on and give it 5.0

    R U KIDDEN ME ?!?!

    Are you like totally kidding me?!? Dude, this show is funny, cool, awesome, and a ton of other good things! You should all be ashamed in yourselves for saying such terrible things about this show. Amybe if you tried watching the show more (hint hint) you wouldn't be saying this kind of stuff! SO GO AND WATCH IT RIGHT THIS SECOND!!

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Rhode Island
    I rate this title on and give it 5.0

    Just like the original

    I watch this show every Saturday. I also watch the classic T&J when I come home from school. Good favourite cartoon.

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