Mousehunt Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Who's hunting who?
TheMouse Never Dies
The squeak shall inherit the earth.
You don't need to be big to be a hero.
A family film about a mouse that lives in an old house where the geriatric owner dies, and 'Nathan Lane' (qv) and 'Lee Evans (I)' (qv) have plans for, but they have trouble getting rid of the mouse. It's like Home Alone with a mouse.
| Nathan Lane | Ernie Smuntz |
| Lee Evans | Lars Smuntz |
| Vicki Lewis | April Smuntz |
| Maury Chaykin | Alexander Falko |
| Eric Christmas | Ernie and Lars' Lawyer |
| Michael Jeter | Quincy Thorpe |
| Debra Christofferson | Ingrid |
| Camilla Søeberg | Hilde, the Bench Lady |
| Ian Abercrombie | Auctioneer |
| Annabelle Gurwitch | Roxanne Atkins |
| Eric Poppick | The Banker |
| Ernie Sabella | Maury, the Cat Care Society Owner |
| William Hickey | Rudolph Smuntz |
| Christopher Walken | Caeser, the Exterminator |
| Cliff 'Fatty' Emmich | Mayor McKringle |
| Gore Verbinski |
5.90 out of 10 (7342 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Enjoyably Nutty Man Versus Mouse Slapstick Comedy
posted on 04 Jul 2009Two squabbling brothers inherit a string factory and an abandoned old mansion from their dead father, only to discover the house is a design classic worth a fortune. Their one problem is a tenacious mouse who has taken up residence and refuses to leave. Much chaos and destruction ensues.This is a great mad movie, full of wild acting and delirious pratfalls. Adam Rifkin's script is fantastic; the central conceit (man versus mouse) is maybe a little thin, but there's so much funny and inventive action and the characters are so goofy that who cares ? Lane is wonderfully pompous, Evans' body-popping antics are a scream and Walken has a hilarious cameo as a barking mad high-tech exterminator. Technically the film is just superb, with fabulous design for the house and the string factory, some wonderful mouse-point-of-view photography and several bravura set-pieces (my favourite is a scene where the brothers set up about ten thousand mousetraps). It also has a fabulous driving score by Alan Silvestri which stirs the whole movie into a higher gear of nuttiness and entertainment. Brilliantly directed.
Mousehunt
posted on 04 Jul 2009This is an early film from Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski, his second, and I have to say it is a really good one. Basically the Smuntz brothers, Ernie (The Birdcage's Nathan Lane) and Lars (Lee Evans, after Funny Bones and before There's Something About Mary) have recently lost their father, Rudolf (Prizzi's Honor's William Hickey, who died soon after), they inherit the family string factory, and an old house. Lars, the loyal son, refuses to sell the factory, making his wife April (Godzilla's Vicki Lewis) mad and chuck him out, and Ernie, the not-so-honest son, has lost his five-star restaurant because of the Mayor's death (ate a cockroach). With no place to go, both of them sleep in the old house, but they soon find out the place is worth a fortune, the architect of 1876 was the famous Charles Lyle Lerue. They decide to fix the place up in ready for an auction, and Alexander Falko (Entrapment's Maury Chaykin) is the most likely high-profit buyer. The only problem they have while fixing the house is a mouse, so they are trying everything they can think of to hunt it down and get rid of it. This includes many mousetraps, a cat named Catzilla, a pest control man named Caesar (a brief but great Christopher Walken) and just chasing it and getting themselves injured to hell. Also starring Eric Christmas as The Smuntz's lawyer, Michael Jeter as Quincy Thorpe, Debra Christofferson as Ingrid and Camilla Soeberg as Hilde. Filled with hilarious slapstick, not just from Lee Evans (his trait) but Lane has some fantastic moments of frustration. This is great family fun, unless you have a thing with mice. Very good!
Genuinely funny
posted on 19 Jun 2009I have to say I did enjoy this silly little movie. It is pure escapism. While some will say it is just another kids movie, it is but adults can find many funny bits. I think the timing of both Nathan lane and Lee Evans is very good. The movie plays like a live action Tex Avery cartoon. While the action sequences are over the top, I feel they are suppose to be. Trying to rid an old house of one little mouse so they can sell it is just crazy, but it works. I think most of the sight gags, although ridiculous, work fairly well. I don't know where you would get 10,000 mouse traps, or how in the world you would set them all up, and why you would back your self up into a corner doing it, but it sure was fun to watch. I think some of the negative reviews here are by people that have lost there sense of fun. They complain of how unrealistic this movie is or at how silly the ending is. Remember this is a kids movie on the whole, so don't expect too much in the way of reality. Its about two guys trying to rid a house of a mouse, not on the water front.
one of the best comedies in years!
posted on 11 May 2009This is Hollywood at it's rarest. It is hard to grasp the exact age group intended for the audience. It's basically a dark comedy about two brothers in the 50s who inherit a mansion of a house. They try to clean it up and save it to sell and make money. Everything that could go wrong happens. The main storyline is the cat and mouse game that the two brothers play with the mouse in the house. Nothing but pure slapstick comedy. If you're one for physical and crude jokes, this one is for you. The level of insanity in the movie goes out the roof. Just about every time I watch it, I have a hard time not to even cry it is that funny. This is one that will more than likely stir just a few cackles out of the older folks, definitely original.
Laurel and Hardy vs. the mouse
posted on 18 Dec 2008Smuntz brothers are Laurel and Hardy type buddies inheriting an old house from the father. They discover that the house is a real classic and worth millions. However the current houseowner, one little mouse will give them a hard time.Smuntz brothers'war with the mouse is really great fun. Christopher Walken as the Exterminator Caesar with his weird mouse hunt equipment is wonderful.Don't hesitate to see this film. Though it is rather for kids, it has still much to entertain all. Enjoy it.
Loved Verbinski's The Ring and POTC; but hated everything about this one
posted on 09 Dec 2008I find it very interesting that same man who directed one of my favorite movies ("The Ring") and one of the most fun movies ("Pirates of the Caribbean") directed this piece of crap. I remember watching this many years ago and hating every second. First of all, there are too many expletives, sexual, and disgusting things in this movie for a PG rating. The entire "ruining two men's lives" -comedy- scenario wasn't working for me. No laughs here. Maybe Verbinski's direction itself was the only masterful thing about the movie, because it really made me -feel- like I was there with the guys getting crapped on. And THAT made me feel like I was getting crapped on. Not fun... only pointless frustration without any comedy.Oh yeah... Christopher Walken has a cameo as an exterminator. That's all I can think of.
More Like A Piece Of Swiss-Cheese Than A Movie.
posted on 06 Nov 2008Decidedly adult-oriented slapstick-comedy, though it was originally marketed towards the younger crowds, that has two very different brothers (played by comedians Nathan Lane and Lee Evans) suddenly left broke and homeless directly resulting from a couple of disturbing and rather unfunny circumstances. By what seems like pure luck the bumbling brothers inherit a dilapidated mansion at just the right time from their wealthy industrialist father (played by William Hickey) who has just recently passed away. Apparently the house, as they soon find out, was built by some well-known architect in the mid-nineteenth century ultimately making it very valuable and highly sought-after by a number of collectors. In the process of attempting to clean the place up so as to hold a big auction in it with hopes of selling it to the highest and wealthiest bidder the two men realize (much to their dismay) that the house's oldest resident, a tiny little mouse, is unwilling to give up his much loved abode without a fight! From that basic plot hilarity is supposed to ensue, but for a number of reasons it rarely does! One of the many things that bothered me about this flick and made it hard for me to laugh was the big fact that it was so dark, dank and just way too atmospheric for it's own good. Meaning that the seemingly unnamed time-period and or place that it's set in is far too unpleasant, grimy and gritty for an out-and-out comedy, let alone a kid's film! In fact it kind of reminds me of the sometimes graphic and violent "Delicatessen" and "The City Of Lost Children"...dark and amoral, with a fairy-tale like theme and enormous and meticulous set designs. However, unlike those two films this one was inappropriately aimed towards children via the cartoon-like slapstick comedy reminiscent of the old "Wily Coyote and The Road Runner" and sorry but I gotta say it, "Tom and Jerry" cartoons. Some curious cameos are also featured here from a number of character actors that are passable considering all, though to be honest I'm still scratching my head as to why any of them would have actually made appearances in this flick in the first place; the actors I'm in reference to are: Maury Chakin, Christopher Walkin (!?), the late Michael Jeter, the late William Hickey who passed away shortly after this film wrapped and who's memory it is dedicated to in the end credits, and Vicki Lewis. Overall, "Mousehunt" is not the worst film you could ever see that's for sure. However, in my opinion and this is just my opinion mind you, I don't think that it's really too fit for the kiddies out there frankly. Though, a number of the adult's are likely to get a kick out of this to a degree more or less, but I don't think that many of them will find it to be completely fall-down hilarious by any means. (*1/2 out of *****)
Complete and utter crap!
posted on 03 Nov 2008I suspect that some of the people who have written comments here (the ones who suggest this movie is either entertaining or humourous) were watching a different film. This movie is nothing more than rodent excrement. It is honestly one of the worst movies I have seen for some time. It is thoroughly unfunny, dull, predictable, and boring. It was nothing more than a weak collection of inanities cobbled together and served up by two moronic brothers. My wife and I sat through it pleading for it to end, all the time thinking it must get better. It didn't, it got worse! If you care at all about your money of the 1 1/2 hours of your life you'll lose, stay well away from this nonsense. (BTW, this is probably one of the most scathing comments I've ever given in the IMDB).
Awful reel.
posted on 28 Sep 2008I guess it was just one of the good trailers. The latter seemed quite attractive and I was looking forward to go and watch the movie. However it was an utter disappointment. The story seems to go on forever and nothing actually happens - it's always the same old story: men try to kill mouse, think they succeed but mouse gets above their heads. Finally, obviously they make friends and open a big factory. Rubbish. Crappy. Unbelievable from beginning to end. A waste of time.
Of Mice and Men
posted on 10 Sep 2008[CONTAINS SPOILERS] "A world without string is chaos" says Rudolf Smuntz, who has sadly passed away. His two sons, Ernie and Lars were the pallbearers at the funeral, which resulted in Rudolf flying out of his casket and into the sewer.
The boys inherited their father's collection of spoons, a box of cigars, a ceramic egg, and a big house they never knew about. Right after that, Ernie and Lars fell down on their luck. Lars' wife kicked him out and an accident with a cockroach forced Ernie's restaurant to close, so the two venture to the old house. They soon discover it's a missing LaRue. Charles Lyle LaRue was a famous house designer 100 years ago and his houses are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Ernie decides to hold an auction. A rich bigwig, Alexander Falko, already plans to offer ten million bucks for it.
But what nobody counted on was a small occupant of the house: a mouse. Ernie and Lars try to get rid of it numerous times, not to mention with numerous mouse traps. But this is no ordinary mouse. He outsmarted the guys each time. They even brought in a big mean cat which was scared senseless. They even hired Caesar, the best exterminator in the business who got seriously injured and whisked off to the hospital; the mortgage on the house was due and Lars and Ernie couldn't pay it, due to Ernie using the money to buy a jacuzzi tub, which they didn't have for more than two minutes when it slid downstairs and into a frozen ice pond with Ernie and Lars in it. So, after nearly destroying the house, they catch the mouse and ship him off to Cuba. The auction was on. The mouse returned and in an attempt to catch it, Ernie and Lars cause the house to fall apart. Bye bye big bucks. Ernie and Lars head to the string factory, their only refuge. Their little fury friend accompanies them and introduces a revolutionary idea: cheese string. The future was bright for the boys after that. A pretty good movie. It's entertaining. Nathan Lane is good. Lee Evans is too. This was sadly William Hickey's last movie. He died shortly after making it. Also, watch for Christopher Walken as Caesar. Also, that's Ernie Sabella as the city pound owner. Nathan Lane and Sabella do the voices of Timon and Pumbaa in The Lion King!-
back and forth
posted on 20 Aug 2008"Mousehunt" was the first Dreamworks movie that I ever saw in the theaters; when I saw it, I never would have guessed that director Gore Verbinski would later helm "The Ring" and the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies. Considering how neat this movie was, I now feel like I should have seen it coming. This one portrays brothers Ernie (Nathan Lane) and Lars Smuntz (Lee Evans) trying to rid their new house of a rodent who appears to be more clever than either of them. Some people might call this movie a mishmash of Laurel and Hardy with "The Money Pit" (some may even include "Home Alone", but I reject that totally). Maybe it is, but it's probably at heart an excuse to have fun, and the ending was pretty interesting.So, just expect a really wild time with this flick. And you'll probably have to agree that during the short time that Christopher Walken is in the movie, he totally steals the show. Also starring Vicki Lewis, Maury Chaykin, Michael Jeter, William Hickey (in his final role) and William Frankfather (best remembered as the albino in "Foul Play").And remember, a world without string is chaos.
The Mouse Owns The House
posted on 31 May 2008One of few comedies that is a true comedy.For the most part, this entire movie can be a silent movie and still be just as funny.The lead cast and even the supporting cast are great...but nothing beats the mouse...and I do mean...nothing beats the mouse.A very creative film with some really cool concepts and absolutely hilarious structured story.From the very opening scene to the very closing scene...pure genius. With clever storytelling, awesome effects and some bold daring stunts (BY A MOUSE) - this is one of the est films I've ever seen.When I first heard of it, I thought that this movie was just a lame kids film - like most are, however I was very wrong.Even William Hickey's part was great...and his menacing photo on the wall looked like it changed faces in every shot...did it? Superb story - even if it is largely animated...- and you might even feel sorry for the next mouse you try to catch.
They don't make 'em like this anymore...
posted on 30 Nov 2007This is the definitive family movie of the ninties, if not the 20th century!
It is extreamly rare for a family (well, mine at least) to come out of the theatre and unanimousley agree that a movie was brilliant. (Not even Speilberg can accomplish this). The story seems like a hybrid of Home Alone and Babe: two brothers must vacate a mouse from a valuable house they inherited from their late father, but they soon discover that it's not gonna go without a fight. However, this is not the usual weak humored ultra-violent cringe fest that we all know and hate. By removing the cute (scratch that: annoying) kid and hiring an extreamly talented cast (the two leads are hilarious, and Christopher Walken gives, perhaps, his greatest performance) the director has created a film that WILL BE ENJOYED BY ALL AGES. Just like The Matrix was a live action Manga film, Mouse Hunt becomes a live action Tom and Jerry movie, without having to resort to sickly sweet sentementality. (Ok, well maybe a little bit). I dare you to see this movie and NOT be won over by it's witty humour and outrageos slapstick.
Great for the kids. 9/10.
posted on 19 Sep 2007The beginning is a little slow but since this is for children that is not a bad thing: they have time to crunch through their popcorn and crisps before the action starts. It took its time to more fully realise the two lead characters and I did appreciate that this was not simply a slap stick comedy. Once going the laughs come thick and fast, and there are some really good moments.Note to self:Get this on video.Don't try to swallow Coke while watching someone blown up a chimney shaft; it's messy.
Not really my cup of cheese
posted on 07 Sep 2007I guess I'm not the target audience for this film. It's like a live-action cartoon, with apologies to Warner Brothers. Any criticism I have really just means that I don't care for this type of movie. For instance, the actors ham it way up. But I understand that they are supposed to. The mouse, and other special effects are pretty good. If you like this sort of film, see "Mouse Hunt." If you don't, don't.
Mean-spirited and inappropriate for children...
posted on 21 Jul 2007Viewers who compare Mouse Hunt to Laurel & Hardy must be having the mostsuperficial viewing experience I can imagine. It is mind-boggling to me that the DVD packaging promotes this mean-spirited, un-funny film as suitable forchildren. In it, you will see a man vomit and die after eating a cockroach, a man eat mouse excrement and then have a mouse defecate on his face, and a childscream in terror as her mother takes her kitten to the animal shelter, after which the kitten is gassed (to death, implicitly) in the background of the following scene. I enjoy many darkly humorous and gross-out films, but Mouse Hunt is a mystery to me. Who is its intended audience? If anyone has ever wished for a children's version of Pink Flamingos, this comes pretty close.
Good movie for kids and some adults
posted on 07 May 2007it was a very funny movie, espescially for kids and some adults that would like that type of movie. It was very funny for me though, the actors did a great job in acting the parts that they were supposed to play. Overall it was a pretty good movie
Loony Tunes for grownups
posted on 12 Feb 2007Mild spoilers.Nathan Lane and Lee Evans make a great team. Lane is a master of the arched eyebrows and the snide comment. Evans is a frenetic physical comedian with a fantastic range of motion and expression. Both have impeccable comedic timing and play off each other's strengths to a remarkable degree.This is Loony Tunes for grownups, the best live action cartoon I can remember. It's full of little gems, like Mayor McKrinkle (Cliff Emmich) schmoozing his way into Chez Ernie and having his disastrous encounter with the Lobster Loaf. The two fedoraed hoods from Zeppco International proclaiming that "Twine is yesterday – Single-strand cord is today." William Hickey, in his last performance, as the dying Rudolph Smuntz, father of Ernie and Lars, a man who's passion in life has always been string and whose motto is "A world without string is chaos." Maury Chaykin as the eccentric billionaire Alexander Falko, who wants to obtain the missing LaRue at a bargain price. Lars' wife (Vicki Lewis), who loved string when she thought she was marrying "the son of a wealthy string magnate." The Belgium hair models (Debra Christofferson and Camilla Søeberg). Caesar, the demented exterminator (Christopher Walken). The stuffy auctioneer (Ian Abercrombie). Maury, the Cat Care Society employee (Ernie Sabella) who provides Ernie and Lars with Catzilla, the cat with a history of mental illness he was about to "gas again." And, The Mouse, who is ably played by CGI, animatronics, and hordes of real mice and rats.There's some dark stuff here all right. The Cat Care Society scene could be disturbing to very young children and there is some mild (by today's standards) cursing.But, like I said, this is a cartoon for grownups.
Kiddie style fun!
posted on 22 Jul 2009This movie may be directed towards kids, but just about anyone will like it. It has the exciting parts, with the mouse, the parts that will bore kids but make the movie either funnier, or continue the storyline, and, in my opinion, a movie for all ages.