 | ON: Content is age-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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Dennis the Menace
- Boomerang
- Genre: Kids' Animation
Common Sense Media says
In '80s cartoon, curious kid finds more trouble than before.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that in this pumped up version of the original Hank Ketchum cartoon Dennis leaves the domestic realm to play in tanks, catch bank robbers, chase kangaroos, and even fly a rocket ship. Dennis sometimes gets hailed as a hero when he was, in fact, doing something he shouldn't have been. And despite some mild violence and big mistakes, there are never any negative consequences.
What's the story?
Back in the 1950s, when cartoonist Hank Ketchum first drew him, Dennis Mitchell was just an over-eager 5 year old with a gift for making his grumpy neighbor Mr. Wilson crazy. In this animated version from 1986-88, Dennis is still causing Mr. Wilson all kinds of physical and emotional pain, but in much larger ways, through adventures catching bank robbers and messing around in an army tank.
Is it any good?
Taking Dennis' adventures outside the realm of normal kid experience hasn't really done much for the character. Dennis is still, fortunately, a good-hearted kid. Yet in pumping up the action, the cartoon loses much of its original charm and becomes too much like other cartoons in which kids fight bad guys and fly in space. If your kids can tell the difference between fantasy violence and real violence, it's mindless fun, but don't expect much else.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about cartoon pratfalls and violence. Why do people sometimes laugh when we see someone fall?
Parents can ask their children if they think Dennis is doing the right thing when he plows ahead with whatever scheme or interest he has. Why do they think Dennis never seems to get into any real trouble?
Families: Do you think kids' television always need to teach a lesson, or is it OK to watch for pure entertainment value?
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Kid, 10 years old
April 16, 2011
AGE
1986 Classic bring good fun
Weeklybob YOU SUCK! SO BADLY!
Dennis the Menace is an American animated series produced by DIC Entertainment (with season 2 co-produced by Crawleys Animation), based on the comic strip by Hank Ketcham.
The young blond boy with a cowlick and a mischievous personality, Dennis the Menace, gets into numerous scrapes and adventures with his dog Ruff and his friends Joey, Margaret, Gina, Tommy, PeeBee and Jay.
Dennis is an impulsive, angel-faced little devil who is always getting into scrapes whom end up tormenting his hapless next-door neighbor, Mr. Wilson (though Dennis always means well). Dennis finds himself involved in all kinds of wild adventures (some of which are fantasy-based like the international espionage and trips into the past stories) but always manages to save the day.
The series was originally aired in syndication in the U.S., distributed by The Program Exchange. The second season aired on Saturday mornings on CBS. Each half-hour show consists of three six or seven minute shorts. The show was sponsored by General Mills.
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AGE
Why would you even want to watch this show or do a review on it?!?!? It's so JUNKY! I don't understand why some people appreciate cartoons that were made in the 80's and 90's!!! Do YOU????
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AGE
NO
I read this common sense review and thought Iit would be okay. WRONG!!! I sat down with the whole family to watch it and I had to send my 12 year old to the other room it was so bad. Dennnis is a horrid role model and my 5 year old is copying his behavior. Your hubby will tell you that your too over-protective, but don't listen. This show is appauling and should never be viewed by kids. I caught my 17 year old watching this. He said that he wanted to "check it out". I had to ban him from TV for watching this horrible show.
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| Topics: | adventures |
| TV rating: | TV-G |
| Network: | Boomerang |
| Cast: | Maurice LaMarche, Phil Hartman |
| Genre: | Kids' Animation |
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