When I first saw this film, I was 100% in agreement with Nathan Lane; now, I’m mad at the guy. I watched:

MouseHunt. The inter-capped one word title that you never remembered existing. The film stars Nathan Lane and Lee Evans as two brothers who had recently lost their father (played by William Hickey). He left them with a string factory, no money, and a decrepit mansion.

They discover some amazing news. The mansion is “The Missing LaRue,” and it’s worth LOTS of money. So what do they do? They hold out for more like greedy bastards. Nathan Lane, I am ashamed on your behalf. All of your problems could have disappeared, right then and there, but no… Why would you do that?

Instead, the Devil sends his minion, the unnamed mouse to wreak havoc upon their lives and their property. The siblings employ every measure to destroy their furry little intruder including hiring the best damn exterminator in town: Christopher Walken.

Their efforts are all for naught however, as the mouse escapes at every turn, even going as far as to outsmart the dim-witted brothers.

I was so mad at the mouse as a kid, because these two poor fellas just wanted to get their heads above the financial waters, and this damn mouse was the only obstacle.

But then I watched it again… Nathan Lane was a greedy motherfucker who wouldn’t meet somebody in the middle; even his own brother. Lee Evans was a naive fool who wouldn’t let go of the past, and desperately tried to hold onto the family’s failing company.

Of course it was the mouse that brought them together, and saved the entire course of their lives. Hmm…

Now this film, much like Little Monsters from last week, was said to be ripped off by a Pixar film, this time, Ratatouille. Now, there are a FEW similarities, and while I don’t believe these accusations, I do find them entertaining.

Here’s an article regarding the “connective tissue” that people create.

 

What’s the franchise like?

This was the only film in the series; a startling trend that will ring true for the majority of the films in this year’s list.

Where/ when did I first see it?

I watched this at Plourde Century Theater in early 1998.

How does it hold up?

It’s a fun film, highlighted by a fantastically playful score by my favorite composer, Alan Silvestri, that evokes the spirit of the best Tom and Jerry cartoons.

The few bits where we see a CGI mouse however, do not. The real mice/ animatronic combo does a better job.

A few things to Note:

Directed by Gore Verbinski who went onto direct The Ring, Pirates of the Caribbean 1, 2 & 3, The Weather Man, The Lone Ranger, Rango, and the newest release: A Cure for Wellness.

Nathan Lane shares a scene with his old partner, Ernie Sabella who in turn, plays a animal shelter worker. If you didn’t know, the two played the duo Timon and Pumba from The Lion King, respectively.

The Joker:

The Mouse of course. He’s a hoot… Yup, I said it. Terrible, I know.

 

Lessons Learned?

1. Christopher Walken would kill any mouse without batting an eye…
2. If the CDC and FDA caught wind of your string cheese operation’s silent partner, then you’d be shut down immediately.
3. Mice never show up alone.

Where can you see it?

Check out Mouse Hunt on CanIStream.It?

-Jamie (@GuyOnAWire)

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