MOUSE HUNT 1997
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 1997 Timothy Voon
1 :-( for the mouse that is mightier than the sword
Starring: Nathan Lane, Lee Evans, Maury Chaykin, and Christopher Walken. Screenplay: Adam Rifkin. Producers: Alan Riche, Tony Ludwig, and Bruce Cohen. Director: Gore Verbinski.
This is a mouse and this is a house, and this is about as funny as the movie gets. In this unnecessary epic tale of two none-too bright brothers come to stake their claims on a 10 million house, they must first boot the illegal tenant a mouse, into the snow. If you like movies where grown men continually make idiots of themselves, then this movie is for you. There are enough HOME ALONE scenes in this movie to make all McCauley Culken wanna-bes, happy little boys.
The mouse doesn't speak a word of English, but has an impeccable sense of timing and undeniable good sense of humour. Foiling the greedy brothers with every twist of traps and turn of cheese, it outwits the dimwit brothers, inflicting hell on all concerned. This rising star of the animal kingdom is not by any means as talented as BABE, but still encapsulates intelligence, wit and cheek in its tiny body. Judging from the fickleness of Hollywood contracts, it is likely that more that two dozen mice were dumped from the set because they were either getting too old, too ugly or just plain pregnant. Isn't the going settlement 7 million for all pregnant stars unduly discharged? How I wish I was a pregnant mouse.
Taking the passenger seats in this roller coaster comedy are the Smuntz brothers Nathan Lane and Lee Evans. Lane from THE BIRDCAGE once again shows us his comedic talents as he is beaten and battered to death by a mouse. Hard to believe, but I guess it takes more than just contrived acting to convince the audience that a mouse has just beaten you up – so full marks to Lane for lowering himself to the task. There is also a delightful appearance from Christopher Walken as the pest control extraordinare - even he the master of villainous guises falls prey to the mightier mouse.
So this new offering from SKG is not as funny as it had hoped. Diverting enough entertainment for the holiday period, but the material is as intelligent as handing a mouse a script, letting it chew it up before releasing it in a house to cause mayhem on the world. Happier hunting next time SKG, this is not the big cheese that everyone will take the bait for.
Timothy Voon e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au
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