Main Cast: Nathan Lane, Lee Evans, Vicki Lewis, Maury Chaykin, Eric Christmas
Release Year: 1997
Country: US
Run Time: 97 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
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. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
Review
Think Home Alone with a mouse instead of Macauley Culkin. Director Gore Verbinski brings a certain gothic style to the proceedings, including the grand old mansion that acts as the primary battleground, but Mouse Hunt is basically another case of a ridiculously small David thoroughly trouncing and humiliating his hapless Goliaths. Nathan Lane never met a hammy role he didn't like, and both he and Lee Evans have a lot of fun falling through floors and getting covered head to toe in triggered mousetraps. The camerawork is more than up to the task, following the scurrying mouse through the maze of intricate woodwork and piping that comprises the little rodent's preciously guarded territory. There's definitely some fun stuff here, and the look of the film, including a bunch of fantastic gadgets and gizmos, is like Tim Burton-lite. But the brothers' continued massive failures get repetitious pretty quickly. Look for a cameo by Christopher Walken as an eccentric exterminator who meets his match. ~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide
James Nedza - Art Director, Bart Brown - Associate Producer, Denise Chamian - Casting, Jill M. Ohanneson - Costume Designer, Benita Allen-Honess - First Assistant Director, Gore Verbinski - Director, Craig Wood - Editor, Alan Silvestri - Composer (Music Score), Linda de Scenna - Production Designer, Phedon Papamichael - Cinematographer, Bruce Cohen - Producer, Tony Ludwig - Producer, Alan Riche - Producer, Ric Mcelvin - Set Designer, Keith A. Wester - Sound/Sound Designer, Seth Arnett - Stunts, Michael Lantieri - Special Effects Supervisor, Charles Gibson - Special Effects Supervisor, Adam Rifkin - Screenwriter
