Mouse Hunt
Gore Verbinski, the TV-commercials director responsible for the Budweiser frogs, directed this Adam Rifkin screenplay about two brothers (Nathan Lane and Lee Evans) who inherit a string factory and a decaying country home after the death of their father (the late William Hickey, in his last role). After moving in, they learn that the house has historical architectural importance and is valued in the millions. However, they are constantly tormented by a mouse within the walls. They engage in cartoon-like combat against the rodent, but it manages to outwit the brothers in successive situations. Both live and animatronic mice portray the title role, and some scenes assume the mouse's point of view. The film is dedicated to William Hickey.
Director: Gore Verbinski
Starring: Nathan Lane, Lee Evans, Vicki Lewis, Maury Chaykin, Eric Christmas
A virtual replay of the original "Home Alone." It's darker, meaner, sillier, more scatological, and, in rare moments, funnier.
A wonderful movie: inspired, hilarious, visually inventive. Just don't take your kids to see it.
Wacked-out and warped.
The biggest factor working against Mouse Hunt may be its chilliness. Like some of the Coen brothers' work, it's so stylized that it often keeps you at an arm's length instead of sucking you into its whirlwind.
As the family film least insulting to its audience's intelligence this season, Mouse Hunt has its share of grown-up appeal along with mouse mischief guaranteed to have children giggling.
Best Fantasy Film
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films (1998)
Best of Show - Audiovisual
Key Art Awards (1998)
Favorite Animal Star
Kids' Choice Awards (1998)
Best Use of Computer Animation in a Traditional Film by a Professional
World Animation Celebration (1998)
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