Customer Reviews

Dennis the Menace (Special Edition)

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"Dennis the Menace", directed by Nick Castle, is based on the hit 60's sitcom, by the same title.

PLOT SUMMARY: Mason Gamble stars as Dennis Mitchell, a young kid who just can't seem to stay out of trouble. He doesn't MEAN to cause trouble...he just well, does. Walter Matthau stars as Dennis's grumpy next door neighbor, Mr. Wilson, who can't STAND Dennis. When Dennis's parents go away (Robert Stanton and Lea Thompson), Dennis must stay with the Wilsons, and Mr. Wilson is extremely unhappy about this. But when Dennis gets out of line, Mr. Wilson gets so angry that he yells at Dennis, which makes Dennis run away. That's when the real trouble begins...Dennis encounters an old neighborhood thief, Switchblade Sam (Christopher Lloyd), who kidnaps Dennis, and soon Dennis learns that Switchblade Sam has stolen some items from the Wilsons' house (and others from his neighborhood), so it's up to Dennis to save the day.

MY OVERALL THOUGHTS: I haven't seen this film in a long time, but I remember it well. The acting from the entire cast is great. The storyline is light-hearted and fun. Mason Gamble was a perfect choice for Dennis. The directing is wonderful, too.

From the looks of the DVD, there is going to be some great special features. The bonus features will include a behind-the-scenes featurette, a documentary on Dennis the Menace, a special "memories" document with Mason Gamble, a conversation with Walter Matthau, and another conversation with writer and producer, John Hughes. The DVD will also include trailers and a DVD-ROM game. The DVD will be available in wide screen format.

I highly recommend "Dennis the Menace".

Score:
89/100
B+

My name is Wally Gator, I'm a rock and roller, who also pushes a stroller. My reveiws here at Amazon tend to be about rock and roll and rock and roll related things, but lately I have been on a mission to spread the word about cool entertainment for young ankle biters and the tormented young parents of such.
TODAY WE HAVE: DENNIS THE MENACE, the 1993 version of this movie from WARNER BROS. It stars MASON GAMBLE, WALTER MATTHAU, LEA THOMPSON and CHRISTOPHER LLOYD.
As far as a family movie goes I give this FIVE STARS.. this means not only do I approve for the kids, but it is also a fun movie for ANYONE! It is rated PG, I think because CHRISTOPHER LLOYD plays a bandit and there are some scenes involving Dennis getting kidnapped, (the results are hillarious, I assure you.)
There is a reference or two about Dennis' parents having sex but they will definatley fly over any childs head who isn't already well schooled in the subject matter. And come on! LEA THOMPSON is HOT as Mrs. Mitchell in this movie, there has to be at least one stab. Its something about how his parents "wrestle" on Sunday mornings and thats when they like to be left alone...no big deal.
I found this movie to be very funny and so did the kids. If you need a new DVD for the family collection and despise BARNEY, THE WIGGLES, most DISNEY movies... the way that I do, then where do we go. Keep in mind that WALLY GATOR is on the task now. For now, go with this one. Even the baby got a chuckle out of it.

A great family movie for all ages. The scene where Dennis ties up the Chris Lloyd and makes him eat all the beans, cracks me up beyond belief. My daughter,3, loves it, and if you have to watch a movie over and over(parents know what i mean) this is a great one.

While this film does not break new cinematic ground; it was never intended to in the first place. Having said that, this is perhaps one of the most delightful, sweet and charming children's movie's I have ever seen. I say that with some amount of authority, as I have two young children, so watching children movies is something we do alot of.

What makes this movie so utterly unforgettable is the sweet charm displayed between Walter Matthau (Grumpy Mr. Wilson) and Dennis (Mason Gamble). There is a unique, understated quality to this movie, where the soundtrack is rather understated and in many scenes you simply watch young Dennis or Mr Wilson (or both) interacting in gentle, silent ways. The movie has become a favorite of my 4 1/2 year old girl (Dennis-like herself) to watch before she goes to bed. We have even memorized some of the scenes and act them out at dinner, like when Mr Wilson eats a piece of chicken that has accidently become victim to Dennis' paint & wood glob. Matthau is so good in that scene; just watch his facial expressions...hardly says a word, but what a classic comedic scene.

I can't rave enough about this movie, if only more movies could be made with such charm, care and love.

Walter Matthau and Mason Gamble were amazing in this hillarious comedy. I'm a fan of comedies in general and I enjoy the raunchiest comedies as well as the sweet and wholesome ones. This falls squarely into the sweet and wholesome end of the spectrum, but it ranks with the best I've ever seen in terms of humor. I got more than the usual number of strong laughs out of this movie. The interplay between Matthau and Gamble is remarkably good. Both seem to be masters at using facial expression to milk a situation for all it's worth. The other actors in this movie do a flawless job of supporting the efforts of the two stars of this movie. The DVD extras are also worth watching. This DVD is one of the best deals I've seen!

This is one of my family's favorite movies. Walter Matthau is great as Mr. Wilson and the little boy playing Dennis is very cute and sweet. He gets into a lot of mischief but is not bratty or foul mouthed like a lot of kid characters in the movies and TV. This is a clean and entertaining family movie and I recommend it to everyone.

Anyone who's read the comic strips "Dennis the Menace" knows about this mischievous little rascal and his neighbor Mr. Wilson. But to watch the legendary Walter Mathau as Mr. Wilson is quite a delight. Watching 5-year-old Mason Gamble as Dennis, you would think the comic strip was created with him in mind. The film is entertaining, funny and totally clean (no obsecenities).

There's a good interview with 14-year-old Mason Gamble in the special features, recalling his days on the shoot, as well as many other interesting aspects of the film-making.

I have been waiting for years for this to come out on DVD. It's been out of print for so long, and I've had to suffer with a copy I taped myself. This is an excellent comedy that parents will enjoy as much or even more than their kids, without having to worry about what new words their kids might pick up! I love this movie even more now that my son is almost five, and is exactly like Dennis! There is some slapstick type mischief, so if you are sensitive to that, be aware (the bad guy gets burned on boiling beans, whacked in the head, etc.). All in all, a must see!

I enjoyed this film so much I have watched it 5 or 6 times. The acting of Walter Matthau, Mason Gamble and Joan Plowright was fantastic and all the others too. The crook, the kids, everyone did a great job. Definitely a 5 starrer.

My entire family just loves this movie. I really can't see how someone would be scared to show this to his or her children. The reality is, there ARE NASTY PEOPLE out there in this world like the villain in this movie!!! And if kids are scared of him while watching it, GOOD! Then they will be more afraid to talk to strangers. I think the actor who plays Dennis is adorable and did a fantastic job of being mischievous yet innocent at the same time. And Walter Matheau, well he really makes this movie a joy to watch! I've watched this movie a dozen or more times and I still always find myself laughing throughout the whole thing. This is a great movie for kids and adults alike.