Review of The Secret of NIMH (1982) by Sydni J — 10 Apr 2013

Talking mice? Epic Adventure? This film claims to feature both...and to a certain extent it does. However as a family film it's a resounding disappointment. I work a 9-5 job at an airport. My precious time at home with my kids on Friday nights is a godsend.

This film was not. My kids love a good animated romp but this film is outright deceiving in its premise. I sat on our sofa having a good old time, laughing at the many jokes and even tearing up during the more moving scenes.

But as the credits began to roll and I turned on the lights I realized my kids were playing their portable handheld gaming devices and hadn't been watching the film at all. I was highly disappointed by this.

This film was a favorite of mine in my youth and as such I hoped to turn my kids onto it. Unfortunately it simply does not hold up. Its religious undertones and capitalist message went over both my kids' heads and it would have benefited by a bigger name cast, with voice talent from say Donald Glover or Meryl Streep instead of what we got: a bunch of failed actors voicing cartoon mice.

I enjoyed it thoroughly but when I asked my kids what they thought of it they simply responded by saying "When's dinner?" A definite 1 star film. I will be watching this again next weekend again for sure but my kids will not be.