Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Tom and Jerry: The Movie is a feature-length cartoon made in 1992, and it's a decided departure from the usual cat-and-mouse offerings. Tom and Jerry are in full talk mode in this movie for the first (and only) time. They spend the first few minutes fighting and outwitting one another, with the usual chases, falls, bumps, and explosions. The rest of the film is a joint effort by the beloved characters as they try to rescue and help a young orphaned heiress facing an array of cutthroat villains. Plus, hoping to establish some equity in the musical genre (perhaps in an effort to cash in on some of the Disney magic), the movie has a full score of musical production numbers composed by Henry Mancini and Leslie Bricusse, two well-known songwriters. Though there is some of the expected cartoon mayhem (fire, an avalanche, danger on "the mean streets"), the conflict is provided by human scoundrels with evil on their minds. It appears that the film did not achieve the hoped-for success and remains the only Tom and Jerry movie of its kind.

Sexual Content

Violence

Standard Tom and Jerry cartoon mayhem, only in this case less of it than in other movies. Characters blow up and fall and are chased, squished, squashed, hit with mallets, trapped in a house fire, stuck on a Ferris wheel, and threatened by a fang-bearing, growling dog. In some instances, characters appear to have been drowned, trampled, or exploded but turn up, alive and well, only moments later. "Stray catchers" capture and cage some animals. Villains cackle, and their faces contort with meanness.

Language

Some name-calling: "stupid," "'fraidy-cat," "twit," "nitwit."

Social Behavior

Promotes putting aside differences to be helpful to others: "The greatest gift in life is a friend."

Consumerism

Part of the popular Tom and Jerry franchise.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol