Review: "Tom & Jerry"

I had been itching for a slapstick comedy to watch, and I finally got around to watching this film. And although it focuses WAY too much on the human characters, they blend in the story well and we still get some classic antics from the mischievous title characters.

I have to say that all the performances are very good. Chloë Grace Moretz shines as Kayla, a street-smart girl who fudges her way into a job at a fancy hotel. She gives it all and makes the film more enjoyable as a result. Michael Peña is also in the cast and retains his humor and quick wit, and Ken Jeong goes over-the-top for his performance, as well, playing an angry and entitled chef who doesn't want to ruin things for a big wedding, and that wedding is for a famous couple, played by SNL's Colin Jost and Pallavi Sharda. They give decent performances, but not as great as the other main characters. And Jordan Bolger is also a highlight of the human cast, giving charisma in his acting.

That doesn't mean that there aren't flaws. The film focuses too much on the human cast's mishaps and dilemmas and forgets to show enough of the classic Tom & Jerry scenarios, making the film not as great as it could be. The story is also extremely predictable, almost to the point where you could know absolutely everything that would happen next. However, the human cast is still vital to the film, and predictiveness is also somewhat needed to make a film like this.

However, the best part of the film is undoubtedly Tom & Jerry, and all the other cartoon characters. The two still bring the same fun that they started bringing over 80 years ago, and the slapstick style with faithful animation is pleasing as a whole. The other animals, such as Spike, Butch, and Tom's shoulder devil and angel are comedic as well. They bring life into the film just when it seems like things are starting to get dry.

Tom & Jerry may focus too much on the humans over the classic duo's antics, but it's still an entertaining watch.

RATING: 7/10