A smooth blend of sentiment and slapstick.
Dennis the Menace (1993)
Runtime: 1 hr 36 mins
Synopsis: Based on Hank Ketcham's comic strip and the TV series. Dennis Mitchell is no menace to society. He's just a young boy whose mischievous ways constantly land him in hot water. Specifically, Dennis loves to play practical jokes on the crusty, ever-fuming Mr. Wilson (such as adding bathroom... Based on Hank Ketcham's comic strip and the TV series. Dennis Mitchell is no menace to society. He's just a young boy whose mischievous ways constantly land him in hot water. Specifically, Dennis loves to play practical jokes on the crusty, ever-fuming Mr. Wilson (such as adding bathroom cleanser to the curmudgeon's mouthwash). Trouble arrives, however, in the form of a shady stranger named Switchblade Sam, who kidnaps the towheaded lad. But when Dennis's prankish nature is unleashed upon Switchblade Sam, the wily boy isn't a captive for very long... [More]
Genre: Comedies
Starring: Walter Matthau, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Joan Plowright, Paul Winfield
Composer: Jerry Goldsmith
Screenwriter: John Hughes
Story: Hank Ketcham
Producer: Richard Vane, John Hughes
DVD Info
Release:
Jan 11, 2008
DVD Features:
- Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
- Dolbysurround Stereo - English, French
- Dolby Surround 2.0 - Spanish
Reviews
John Hughes' vision of Dennis is much more menacing than Ketcham's fans and parents of small children might reasonably expect.
Mr. Hughes and Mr. Castle try hard to re-create a kind of timeless, idealized comic-strip atmosphere, but except for the performances of Lea Thompson and Robert Stanton... nobody in the movie seems in touch with the nature of the comedy.
But it's all far too flabby, with lengthy setups that seem to go on forever. Some judicious editing to tighten up the film could have made all the difference in the overall pacing.
Most children will get a kick out of it, although adults roped into accompanying their offspring may find themselves yearning to escape through the nearest exit.
Beyond the booby traps and plentiful pranks, Dennis the Menace is truly a treat for all ages.
A movie that makes you leave the theatre with thoughts of having yourself, and your neighbors, spayed is not a good thing.
The comic has been condensed into a sweet-naturedly nutty motion picture with the buoyancy of a clutch of colored balloons.


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