Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves (1997)

They saved the best for last!

I know that the first movie in this series is the classic, but if you ask me, the Real classic is this one. The storyline,the morals, the special affects, and the humor are all 100% better than the previous movies. Also, this movie is alot like "Home Alone" if you like "Home Alone", you will like this movie, too! It is very funny and also has a few loving morals. My favorite part is when the kids are doing all the things they were told not to do becuse they are home alone...(or think they are!!)
Every movie series is differant, sometimes the original is the original and best, sometimes they do better the 2nd time round, and sometimes they save the best movie for last, as they did here. so see the "Grand Finallie" of the series, the best of the series, the REAL classic! July 16, 2008

Third Time is not as much of a Charm

Remember the funny movie "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," and the almost as funny "Honey, I Blew Up the Kid?" Well, this movie is much like those. Except in this movie there is a different wife. Oh; and there are kids missing. And now Wayne Szalinski's (Rick Moranis) brother Gordon (Stuart Pankin) has appeared. Perhaps this movie is not so much like those after all.

We quickly learn that a few things have changed for Wayne since last we visited him. The FDA has forbidden Wayne to use his shrinking machine on people. Wayne is in the process of sending his shrinking machine to the Smithsonian. Wayne and Gordon's wives are heading off to a vacation, leaving Wayne in Gordon in charge of the house.

All initially seems sort of well, except that Wayne wants to shrink a Tiki man that his wife wants to him to throw away. Predictably, something goes wrong and Wayne and Gordon are accidentally shrunk. Shortly thereafter the wives, realizing they forgot to leave medicine behind, return. Soon the wives are accidentally shrunk, and we are once again on a path for a few yucks and a few groans.

This movie is reasonably decent. Much of it seems somewhat of a retread. There are the usual moments of fear as the foursome run from a cockroach and help a daddy longlegs spider, more moments of fun in a ride on a toy car, a dip in the dip, a ride in a soap bubble, and more.

This direct-to-video movie has less imagination than the first two movies. The atmosphere of this 75 minute "full-length" feature is that of a made-for-tv movie. I did enjoy the movie, but I wish I had looked for it in a bargain bin somewhere rather than paying full price.

If you really liked the first two movies, you will likely enjoy this movie. If you cared little for the first two movies, you should avoid this one. Even if you think you might like it, the movie still feels like something made for the Disney channel. Good luck!
November 9, 2005

HARMLESS RETREAD

This direct to video entry in the one-time imaginative series is mildly entertaining, although it is little more than an adult retread of the original. This time Rick Moranis (with a new wife played by Eve Gordon and only one kid this time) shrinks himself, his wife and his brother (Stuart Pankin) and his wife, and they find themselves confronting a giant cockroach as their main enemy, and a cute daddy longlegs helps the mommies out. It's not all that inventive but I found myself chuckling every once in a while. Might entertain the younger set. August 21, 2005

3rd (and final) in the series

Contrary to popular belief, this is not a new movie. Not at all. This is actually Disney's very first direct-to-video live action films, which was first released in 1997. It did not go over well and has long since been the hardest to find of the trio. Unlike the other two theatrical films, this movie was only ever released in full frame... so us widescreen enthusiasts have nothing to complain about here. What I can complain about is the overall cheap-feeling that this film has. Rick Moranis is the only original character, and the action does not have the epic, theatrical quality of the original films. This feels like a 2-day shoot soundstage production with a very closed-in feeling. It's kind of like taking the first five minutes of "Toy Story," with the army men on the staircase, etc. and extending that claustrophobic feeling for the 65-minute running time. All in all, this most compares to a typical Disney Channel Original Movie. In fact, it's been shown as one ever since its release!! Not exactly a Disney highpoint, collectors will want this third film to complete the collection... October 24, 2002

A Discrace to all Disney movies

"Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves" is stupid to all movies, including the scene where the Szalinski Brothers (Pankin/Moranis) were showing their stomachs. I give this 1 star. July 6, 2002

More reviews at Amazon.com ...