Denis la malice

For me, this cinema version featuring the innocent mischief of cartoonist Hank Ketcham's precocious hyperactive preschooler, Dennis (The Menace) Mitchell, is a classic sleeper. Remarkable performances by Mason Gamble (as "Dennis Mitchell") and Walter Matthau (as "Mr. Wilson") help to mold the screenplay into a delightful light-hearted comedy intended for the whole family. I, personally, look forward to the day that its presentation is offered in DVD format.

"Dennis the Menace" is unique in its own way because it's observant. This movie made me laugh at stuff i've always laughed at and things i'd never thought I would laugh at. The film can be surprisingly innocent at times and sincere and heartwarming. And the kid who plays Dennis is a way better actor than Macaulay Culkin. I liked the film for its imagination and humor. A good film. I also liked how they showed Dennis trying to resist the temptation to do something bad but can't resist.

This movie is without a doubt identical to the comic strip. The characters look exactly alike, especially Dennis's parents. And I don't think anyone could have played a better Mr. Wilson than Walter Mattau. This is what makes the movie so good. Another familiar actor is Christopher Lloyd (from the "Back to the Future" trilogy and "The Pagemaster) who plays the robber. I remember when I rented this at my local grocery store, I saw the scene where the robber kidnaps Dennis and ties him up. Then Dennis tells him the only right way to tie him up so that he won't be able to get away. The robber has handcuffs and the key falls into the beans he's cooking. Dennis is forced to feed the robber beans in order to find the key. After this the robber farts in the fire. This scene was cut when shown on TNT. Watch this movie and see for yourself how wonderful it is.

How can this movie get such a low rating? It is really well made, has some very funny moments and the casting is excellent. Dennis is cute as a button and totally believable, his parents are.. well, just perfect and mr Wilson is the best mr Wilson you could wish for. The same applies to many of the smaller roles. And then there is Christopher Lloyd in one of his best performances ever. I loved this movie, both the first and second time I saw it. It deserves at least an 8, so I gave it a 9 to boost the score.

This film is a great little family comedy. I loved it as a kid, and it still holds up today. Walter Matthau is delightfully miserable, Mason Gamble is chasing, and Christopher Lloyd is unrecognisably fiendish. Get the popcorn, sit the kids down, and enjoy...whilst remembering to tell the kids not to try ANYTHING Dennis does!