To get this out of the way. I don't care that Tom and Jerry talk. I actually think that was a smart move for this movie. They don't have to talk, but removing that lane of communication, I feel, forces less talented writers to push them into the background of their own movies. (Like in 2021). So for what it's worth, if there is ever another movie, the director really needs to think about that.
I was probably a toddler when this movie came out. Just watched the 2021 movie so I decided to rewatch this one for comparison.
The only things they share in common are humans. This movie has songs and an actual plot. Oh, and Tom and Jerry talk. Honestly I don't blame you if you think I am blinded by nostalgia. I admit I am at least half blinded by nostalgia. I like this movie but its not without its problems. This movie is more a vanilla adventure than a comedy. The Tom and Jerry antics are in it though limited, they take a back seat to the story.
Most of the songs are okay (and short). The Friends til the End song is great. So is the 'Money' song that birthed the hilarious meme. 'God's Creature's' song is too short to count. Robyn's song is sweet but also short. The only song I'd cut from this is the super pointless alley cat "this is our terf or whatever" song. Those cats never do anything so why give them a song?
About the humans, Robyn is obviously the most controversial character. She is a store brand Jenna from Oliver and Company and to be honest her presence drags the movie down. Mostly because 'helpless damsel girls' is one of the most tired tropes in the universe. My adult self understands she's helpless but Tom and Jerry animations need more proactive/kinetic characters for action and comedy. So a little damsel girl falls way out of the scope of what I think Tom and Jerry should 'be'.
My only real complaint with this movie is that even though it has a shorter run time, it still feels too slow. I chock most of that up to the animation (It doesn't look as good as I remember it) with mostly competent but clearly lower budget than Disney animation, the action/chase scenes could have been a lot better. But as a kid I really thought this movie was one of the best ever. Another complaint is the random crazy captain man near the end of the movie. I know the Tom and Jerry 'universe' is devastatingly limited but there are several animal characters that could have had this role. That is the problem with these Tom and Jerry films at their core, they keep introducing one in done humans instead of using Butch or Spike or Toodles, or Quacker Jeff etc. Heck I'll even take Nibbles. Yes Butch trying to steal 1 million dollars of ransom money would be funny.
So in the end. It's not the best, but it isn't as horrible as people make it out to be. A bit doddering and amateurish, but its also cute and inoffensive and nowhere near as cringe as I thought it was going to be from watching it after so many years.
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