The inimitable Walter Matthau stars as Mr. Wilson in this live-action telling of the classic comic strip tale, and if that's not enough, comic veteran Christopher Lloyd plays a role as Switchblade Sam, the robber nabbed by Dennis in the film.
Sure, it's a bit of fluff, but it's also a good fun film that the family can enjoy. The younger kids will enjoy the physical comedy, while the older kids can enjoy the dialogue and even the adults can get a laugh from the film too, without feeling as if they're losing brain cells while listening to another rendition of another sappy song for the umpteenth time. It's a fresh change of pace if you're in need of something that's okay for the kids to watch.
Dennis here is like the Dennis of the funny pages, and while he doesn't try to get into trouble, it just has this way of following him around. When he's not looking, it seems that trouble comes looking for him.
Mr. Wilson hosts a garden party for the viewing of the plant that he's been growing for decades, and just before the plant opens for the one and only time - you guessed it - Dennis nearly destroys his house, causing him to miss the site. Everyone else gets to see it, and thus they don't get to see what Dennis has done. Mr. Wilson explodes and drives Dennis away, which makes him feel bad when no one can find him.
That's what leads Dennis to the riverbank, and his encounter with Switchblade Sam, but Dennis comes through, as he always does, and helps to nab the criminal. It's not quite the same as the comic strip, but it's an enjoyable romp nonetheless.
Rated PG for "comedic mischief", this mostly takes the form of slapstick comedy that can easily be separated from reality, and even the younger set should have no problem recognizing fantasy from reality. It's a nice change of pace without having to worry about what's going to come out of the next character's mouth.
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