Mr. Peabody & Sherman

Mr. Peabody & Sherman – PG (92 Mins)

3 Stars

Having been a big fan of the original Peabody and Sherman that was a part of the Rocky and Bullwinkle show, I was very skeptical of the film version.  The cartoon show was great in small doses of course the segments were part of a bigger show so that was the nature of it.  I was afraid a full length feature would be too much and the story would get lost.

Fortunately, the filmmakers seemed to take my fears into account.  They used the time travel in this film to make what seemed like short episodes but then tied them together with a back story.  All of the bad puns were there, as well as the comedy of the old version.  At the same time there is a little history lesson as you learn about historical generalities.  They do take a trip and visit the Trojan horse but I doubt the soldiers inside were as ridiculous as the ones in the film.

If you don’t know the back story Mr. Peabody is a dog.  He is one of the smartest beings that have ever lived on the earth.  So smart he has excelled in politics, science, athletics and more.  His most advanced invention is the WABAC machine.  He invented it after adopting a son.  If a human can adopt a dog why can’t a dog adopt a human?

Peabody and his son Sherman take trips back in time to learn about history and start Sherman off right on his education.  Sherman’s knowledge soon lands him in trouble on his first day of school as he threatens the academic ability of another student, Penny.  Penny bullies Sherman and they end up fighting and Penny gets bit.  Just more proof that Sherman, like Penny says, is a dog.  Mr. Peabody invites Penny’s parents over to smooth things out before the social worker comes over to investigate whether or not Mr. Peabody should be allowed to keep Sherman. 

This homage to the original is done in the right way so it is entertaining for the whole family with fun and jokes for everyone.  

‘Mr. Peabody & Sherman’: 3 points for parents  

• Violence - Cartoon violence with pratfalls and slapstick.  One character is placed in a guillotine.  Many chase scenes with the possibility of danger at the end.  Soldiers are fighting in streets of a city.  A man has a taser used on him twice.  A crude drawing of a person being disemboweled is shown.  Two characters are bitten.
• Language/Humor - No foul language is used.  There are many puns used as well as some bodily function humor, including animal references.  There is one line that could be said to be suggestive but children will not get it.  
•  Alcohol:  One scene of adults preparing and drinking a beverage.