Common Sense Media Review
Clever slapstick with cartoonish violence, profanity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
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Mouse Hunt
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 13 kid reviews
Kids say the film presents an interesting mix of comedy and uncomfortable content, often deemed unsuitable for younger viewers due to its graphic elements and innuendo. While some enjoyed its humor and positive message about friendship, others expressed disappointment over its depiction of violence, uncomfortable situations, and overall plot execution, calling it outdated and not entertaining for all ages.
- humor mixed reactions
- inappropriate content
- outdated plot
- mixed audience suitability
- positive friendship message
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In the vivacious 1997 movie MOUSE HUNT, Nathan Lane and Lee Evans are hapless brothers out to rid their house of a very shrewd mouse. Anyone who's dealt with mice on the loose in a home knows how pesky they can be. That's part of what makes Mouse Hunt fun; you can't help pitying the poor Smuntz brothers, who go to wild extremes trying to rid themselves of an elusive rodent. Kids will side with the mouse, of course, because it's cute and furry and performs some spectacular stunts (thanks to convincing and sparingly used computer-generated effects).
Is It Any Good?
Although something of a Home Alone retread, Mouse Hunt has far more brains, heart, and style, which will endear it to adults as well as young viewers. Take heed of the PG rating for excessive cartoon-style violence. About two-thirds of the way through it takes an excessively cruel turn, when the mouse floods the house with gas fumes and blows the brothers sky-high. Kids will eat it up, but parents may wince.
Casting Christopher Walken as an exterminator is just one of many inspired touches that gives this movie its adult appeal. William Hickey is also fine -- in one of his last performances -- as frail old Rudolph Smuntz, whose somber portrait keeps changing expression after he passes on.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about cartoonish violence. How is it used for the sake of humor in this movie? Is it effective?
Why do you think slapstick violence is considered to be funny for some? What would the real-life consequences of this violence be?
Did the humor feel gratuitous to you? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 19, 1997
- On DVD or streaming : July 6, 1999
- Cast : Christopher Walken , Lee Evans , Nathan Lane
- Director : Gore Verbinski
- Inclusion Information : Gay Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Animals
- Run time : 97 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, comic sensuality and mayhem
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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