Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
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74% of critics liked it
(31 reviews) -
47% of users liked it
(634,591 ratings)
Erstwhile inventor Prof. Wayne Szalinski (Rick Moranis) has been experimenting with an electromagnetic shrinking machine. He leaves the device unattended in his attic; shortly afterward, it is accidentally activated. Alas, the demon machine is aimed at his children, as well as the son of neighbor… More Erstwhile inventor Prof. Wayne Szalinski (Rick Moranis) has been experimenting with an electromagnetic shrinking machine. He leaves the device unattended in his attic; shortly afterward, it is accidentally activated. Alas, the demon machine is aimed at his children, as well as the son of neighbor Russ Thompson (Matt Frewer). The kids, shrunk to 1/4-inch height, are tossed into the trash bin by the unwitting Szalinski. For the rest of the film, our teeny-tiny protagonists attempt to gain their parents' attention -- and to survive the wilds of the backyard, where all sorts of dangers, from bumblebees to lawnmowers, threaten their well-being. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids features Marcia Strassman as Moranis' wife, and juvenile players Robert Oliveri, Kristine Sutherland, Thomas Brown, Jared Rushton, and Amy O'Neill. The visual effects are the handiwork of such masters as Joe Johnston, Phil Tippett, and David Allen. When originally released to theaters, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids was double-billed with the Roger Rabbit cartoon Tummy Trouble; this is how it is presented on videotape as well. The film (the live-action one, that is) prompted a 1992 sequel, Honey, I Blew Up the Kid. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Joe Johnston
- Written By
- Stuart Gordon, Brian Yuzna
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jun 23, 1989 Wide
- Studio
- Disney
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
[It's] in the best tradition of Disney -- and even better than that, because it is not so juvenile that adults won't be thoroughly entertained.
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Derek Adams, Time Out
Sterling entertainment...
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Caryn James, New York Times
As sweet, straightforward and funny as its title.
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Rita Kempley, Washington Post
Though it relies on special effects, this cutie-pie caper never loses sight of the protagonists amid the bigger-than-life Cheerios and 40-foot blades of grass.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The special effects are all there, nicely in place, and the production values are sound, but the movie is dead in the water.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Rick Moranis
as Prof. Wayne Szalinski
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Matt Frewer
as Big Russ Thompson
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Marcia Strassman
as Diane Szalinski
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Kristine Sutherland
as Mae Thompson
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Jared Rushton
as Ron Thompson
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Amy O'Neill
as Amy Szalinski
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Robert Oliveri
as Nick Szalinski
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Martin Aylett
as Harold Boorstein
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Thomas Wilson Brown
as Little Russ Thompson
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Lou Cutell
as Dr. Brainard
- Charles Fleischer
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Trevor Galtress
as Male Cop
- Lou Hirsch
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Kimmy Robertson
as Gloria Forrester
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Carl Steven
as Tommy Pervis
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Janet Sunderland
as Lauren Boorstein
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Mark L. Taylor
as Don Forrester
- Kathleen Turner
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Laura Waterbury
as Female Cop
- April Winchell


