If you were a kid in the 90s, chances are you saw DreamWorks SKG's Mouse Hunt. Starring Nathan Lane (The Birdcage) and Lee Evans (The Fifth Element), the story follows two down‑on‑their‑luck brothers who find themselves on a goldmine that may be sabotaged by a mouse.
Whether or not you are familiar with this tail...I mean, tale (see what I did there), Kino Lorber has added it to their collection of remastered films to be available for purchase this month. Presented in 4K for the first time, the 1997 movie offers some fun, family fare to be enjoyed in the best quality possible from the comfort of your own home.
If you have never seen Mouse Hunt, here is the basic story: When their string magnate father, Rudolf Smuntz, dies, brothers Ernie (Lane) and Lars (Evans) move into his decrepit mansion. Struggling to keep a promise to never sell the now unprofitable string factory, the brothers decide that restoring the house, the last built by a famous architect, could bring them a great deal of money. But during their restoration attempts, Ernie and Lars are continually frustrated by a malicious mouse that keeps destroying their efforts.
Lane is his usual, comedic genius self, and Evans does a good job as his clumsy sidekick. The duo make a terrific team along the same lines as Abbott and Costello or Laurel and Hardy, but the writing doesn't give them enough to create an everlasting memory in one's mind. Writer Adam Rifkin (The Last Movie Star) and director Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl) don't give enough suspense or laughable moments to make the movie one many people would watch over and over again but it was a box office success when it was released in December of 1997 and it could easily become a family tradition every year.
The 4K restoration is a mixed bag as the 2160p resolution with 1.85:1 aspect ratio shows incredible details throughout, but many of the flaws as well. Some moments are obviously green-screened, but the color saturation is deep and true. The details, especially the nails going into the wall with the nail gun as the mouse tries to avoid them and the bit of string Lars carries in his pocket, are sharp and clean. The DTS‑HD Master 5.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Audio are a highlight of the restoration, with the dialogue sounding crisp. There is a great deal of depth in the audio, making for a rich and robust product.
The extras are ported over from the previously released Blu‑ray except for the commentary. Unfortunately, besides the commentary, there isn't much offered in the way of extras besides some deleted scenes and a trailer. The extras include: NEW! Audio Commentary by Hats Off Entertainment's Joe Ramoni, From the Cutting Room Floor (Lee Evans: A Day at the Office, Christopher Walken: Tools of the Trade, Christopher Walken: Mouse Hunt, Christopher Walken: Quality Control, Ensemble: Hospital Scene, Ensemble: Doings at the Auction, Ensemble: Say Cheese), Theatrical Teaser, and Theatrical Trailer.
If you were a fan of 1990s Home Alone, you will undoubtedly also enjoy Mouse Hunt, as the latter film has the same look and feel as the former. The physical comedy is well done, and a cameo by Christopher Walken (The Deer Hunter) is memorable and entertaining.
While Mouse Hunt isn't necessarily an obvious choice for remastering and rerelease, Kino Lorber did a great job with it for the most part, and both old and new fans will be satisfied with the outcome. Don't miss out on your chance to get this movie on 4K, as it is one you will want to add to your home entertainment collection.
Grade: B‑
