Story
Unable to find a suitable place to live in the bustling city of New York, Jerry the mouse runs into his ‘friend’ Tom the cat, who dreams of making it big as a piano player.
When old rivalries ignite and Jerry accidentally breaks Tom’s piano, a violent chase begins. It ends only when Jerry sneaks into the fancy Royal Palace Hotel while Tom is left out on the street. As Jerry makes himself a luxurious little home, Tom lives in a cardboard box in an alleyway and tries to get into the hotel anyway he can.
Meanwhile, down-and-out Kayla (Chloe Grace Moretz) has just lost her job because of an unfortunate encounter with Tom. She talks her way into a new job at the Royal Palace Hotel. When a mouse problem threatens to ruin the extravagant wedding of socialites Preeta (Pallavi Sharda) and Ben (Colin Jost), Kayla promises her manager (Michael Pena) that she’ll handle the situation. She hires Tom to help.
Of course, chaos ensues. Kayla must convince Tom and Jerry to work together to save her job, save a wedding and ultimately save each other.
Themes
Loneliness; a focus on appearances rather than reality; using violence to solve conflict; using others to get what you want
Violence
Tom & Jerry has some violence. For example:
- There’s frequent animated violence. Characters repeatedly crash into each other as well as walls and buildings. They’re hit, kicked, grabbed, squashed, bitten, punched, slapped, thrown, smashed with baseball bats and crushed with a bowling ball.
- A truck hits Tom.
- Tom is struck by lightning and also electrocuted a couple of times.
- Characters sometimes use weapons like mallets, chainsaws and axes.
- Ben tests a drone he bought for the wedding and terrifies hotel guests.
- Tom and Jerry destroy a hotel room and later help destroy the hotel lobby, including the iconic glass ceiling.
Sexual references
Tom & Jerry has some sexual references. For example:
- Tom falls for the cat of the bride. He serenades her and looks at her with love in his eyes.
- When a bunch of preening peacocks are brought in for the wedding, someone says, ‘They need time to socialise and mate. Put them in the staff room’.
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
Tom & Jerry shows some use of substances. For example:
- Characters drink at parties and celebrations and in the hotel bar.
- Champagne is served on numerous occasions.
- Jerry eats olives out of a martini glass.
- In one scene it looks as though both Tom and Jerry are sipping champagne.
Nudity and sexual activity
Tom & Jerry has some nudity and sexual activity. For example:
- Jerry takes photocopied images of himself including a close image of his bottom cheeks.
- A bride and groom hug, hold hands and kiss on their wedding day.
Product placement
The following products are displayed or used in Tom & Jerry: Martinelli’s Apple Cider.
Coarse language
Tom & Jerry has some very mild coarse language including occasional use ‘My God!’ There are also some minor insults, including ‘They would never hire you’ and ‘What a sucker!’
Ideas to discuss with your children
Based on the iconic cat and mouse cartoons, Tom & Jerry is a live action movie featuring a variety of animated characters. The movie is aimed at younger children, who are likely to enjoy the toilet humour, as well as the crazy and violent relationship between Tom and Jerry.
It’s important to note that some children might find it disturbing to see intense animated violence in real-life situations. Therefore, this movie isn’t suitable for children under five years, and we recommend parental guidance for children aged up to eight years.
The main messages from Tom & Jerry are about aiming for success, and working together to get results.
Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include:
- taking responsibility for your actions and mistakes
- staying positive
- believing in yourself
- cooperating and working as a team
- trying hard and persisting.
Tom & Jerry could also give you the chance to talk with your children about the real-life consequences of things like:
- lying to get what you want
- deceiving others to get personal revenge
- using violence to solve conflict
- not communicating or being respectful with others.