Dennis the Menace 1993

Vincent Canby, New York Times: Mr. Hughes and Mr. Castle try hard to re-create a kind of timeless, idealized comic-strip atmosphere, but except for the performances of Lea Thompson and Robert Stanton... nobody in the movie seems in touch with the nature of the comedy. Read more

Ty Burr, Entertainment Weekly: Its unholy mixture of peppy sadism and pious, self-righteous sentiment comes straight from Hughes' crabbed cinematic heart. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: Most children will get a kick out of it, although adults roped into accompanying their offspring may find themselves yearning to escape through the nearest exit. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: Those good qualities are undermined, unfortunately, by the Switchblade Sam character, who is dirty, threatening and scary. Read more

Time Out: A smooth blend of sentiment and slapstick. Read more

Variety: Read more

Todd McCarthy, Variety: Very young children may find the numskull, by-the-numbers gags here amusing, but teens will consider this kids' stuff and adults will be pained. Read more

Joe Brown, Washington Post: Beyond the booby traps and plentiful pranks, Dennis the Menace is truly a treat for all ages. Read more

Rita Kempley, Washington Post: The comic has been condensed into a sweet-naturedly nutty motion picture with the buoyancy of a clutch of colored balloons. Read more