Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lame '90s monster movie with bullying, drinking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Munchie
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Gage is the new kid at his school, moving to a new house with his mom (Loni Anderson) and creepy boyfriend (Andrew Stevens). He's having a hard time fitting in and is the target of both bullies and his principal until one day when he walks to an abandoned mine shaft and opens a treasure chest where he hears a voice. The voice belongs to Munchie (Dom DeLuise), a two-foot-tall monster who loves to talk and make endless jokes. Gage takes Munchie back to his house, where Gage talks about all his wishes for a better life. These wishes send Munchie into action. At his school, Gage watches in horror and joy as Munchie evens the score on Gage's principal, bullies, and his mom's boyfriend, culminating in a blowout party created by Munchie and thrown at Gage's house as a way for Gage to win the affections of the prettiest girl in class.
Is It Any Good?
MUNCHIE comes very close to being one of those "so bad it's good" kinds of films. Unfortunately, the cliches are too much, the comedy isn't funny enough, and some of the more inappropriate aspects of the film -- the bullying, name-calling, and drinking -- make it difficult to enjoy in any manner, kitschy or otherwise. Dom DeLuise tries his best, it seems, as the voice of the cheaply made titular monster, but all the ad libs in his arsenal can't change that this is simply a bad movie across the board.
Although the scene involving the pizza that levitates from the Italian restaurant to the tween boy Gage's house almost rescues this movie from being irredeemably awful, there's simply too much trite material and dated behavior going on to make it enjoyable for anyone.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about "bad" movies. What makes a movie "bad?" What is the fun in watching these types of films?
How does this movie compare with other movies in which monsters cause mischief?
How have attitudes about bullying changed since this movie was made?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 1, 1992
- On DVD or streaming : October 22, 2002
- Cast : Andrew Stevens , Dom DeLuise , Loni Anderson
- Director : Jim Wynorski
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : New Concorde
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 80 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : Mild language and sensuality.
- Last updated : August 3, 2022
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