Tom and Jerry (2002 film)

Tom and Jerry (symbolized as Tom AND Jerry) is an American live-action comedy film directed by Raja Gosnell and produced by Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone. It is based off of the franchise of the same name created by MGM workers William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. The film stars Ed Helms, Oscar Isaac, and Neil Patrick Harris with George Lopez as Spike Bulldog. The film follows Tom Cat as he must stop his rival Jerry from stealing the house and he must get Jerry of there before his owner kicks him out. The film is also dedicated to William Hanna, who died during the production of the film in 2001 and to Chuck Jones, who directed several Looney Tunes shorts and created a collection of Tom and Jerry shorts from 1963 until 1967.

The film released on October 19, 2002 in Dolby Cinema. After it's release, it was met with very negative reviews because of it's story, acting, and slapstick but it was praised for it's animation in the end-credits. A sequel was in development, but was cancelled.

Cast

 * Ed Helms as Donald J. Oppenhimer, Tom's owner
 * Oscar Isaac as Tom's Catsitter, the catsitter of Tom
 * Neil Patrick Harris as Theodore, Donald's friend
 * Nathaniel as Tom Cat, the main protagonist along with Jerry. Nathaniel is Douglas Lown's cat who looked exactly like an live-action version of Tom.
 * Ownowski as Jerry Mouse, the main protagonist along with Tom. Ownowski is a mouse who has found in an alleyway by the producer Spike Brandt. He was given his name by Gosnell.

Production
In the late 1960s, Looney Tunes animator Chuck Jones was tasked for making a film based off of Tom and Jerry after the infamous negative reviewed 1961-1962 era created by Gene Deitch. Jones canceled the film after his collection of shorts ended in 1967 after starting in 1963.

In 1997, film director Raja Gosnell was approached by Warner Bros. Pictures to make an live-action film of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera's creation, Tom and Jerry. Originally, Steven Spielberg was going to make the film, but had to work on many of his upcoming films, so Gosnell said "Yes." Production of the film started in late 1998. Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone served as the producers while Cinco Paul and his co-worker Ken Daurio were set to write the screenplay. In early 2000, Ed Helms was cast as Tom's owner, Donald J. Oppenhimer.

Then Neil Patrick Harris was hired as his friend Theodore. Harris would later work with Gosnell on the the two live-action The Smurfs films, which also received negative reviews. Oscar Isaac was cast as Tom Cat and Jerry Mouse's catsitter. In 2001, William Hanna, one of the franchise's creator, sadly passed away on March 22, 2001 at the age of 90. Gosnell then announced that the film would be dedicated to his memory. Chuck Jones passed away too one year after Hanna's, and Gosnell also announced that the film would be dedicated to him too. George Lopez voices an live-action Spike Bulldog in the film. But however, his son Tyke Bulldog is not seen and/or mentioned in the film.

In 2001, Mark Mothersbaugh who composed Rugrats was announced to be the film's composer. The full score of the soundtrack was released on a musical streaming platform. Filming began in June 2001 and took place in California, Canada, and Peru. By the time of filming, Raja Gosnell was working for a cat and mouse to portray Tom Cat and Jerry Mouse. The film's cameraman Douglas Lown suggested that the film would use his cat for Tom, while Jerry would be used with CGI and some mouse shots. A bulldog named Chrissy was used for Spike.

Release
The film released in Dolby Cinema on October 19, 2002. Being delayed from numerous release dates such as July 4, 2002, December 20, 2002, January 1, 2003, and April 7, 2002.

Home media
It released on home media on Vudu and Spectrum TV. The home media included two short films: Jerry and Tuffy's Pirate Adventure and The Tower of Tom, which both received also negative reviews just like the movie.

Critical response
During the film, a person confirmed that he heard many people complaining about the film. It was known to be more hated then Phil Roman's 1992 Tom and Jerry: The Movie. On Rotten Tomatoes, it received 2.2/10. A critic said "The 2002 Tom and Jerry film based off of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera's masterpiece of the same name includes this worthless movie directed by the of course 'infamous' Raja Gosnell." The film also received very negative reviews on IMDb and Variety with a 3/10 (IMDB) and 1.9/10 (Variety).