Dennis the Menace

I didn't think TV's original version of "Dennis the Menace" (way back in the '50s) was enough of a menace to earn the title. Let's fact it: it was the '50s, how much COULD he get away with?

That's part of the reason that this 1986 reinvention works so much better. Also the fact that here he's actually a CARTOON! Yes! Hank Ketcham should have been proud: this is the proper venue for a character born in the Sunday funnies.

But where Jay North was limited as to just what kind of mischief he could get into, this model of Dennis (voiced by Brennan Thicke) could literally get into ANYTHING! Here, he played with dinosaurs, foiled bomb-carrying spies, interacted with movie hero Cowboy Bob straight from the movie screen (a la Woody Allen's "Purple Rose of Cairo"!) and regularly thwarted aliens, opera singers, bullies, rude adults, criminals and, of course, frazzled neighbor George Wilson.

Wilson (as voiced by LaMarche and, especially, Phil Hartman!) stayed the same in every episode and rightfully so: any simple task he would start or try to start would consistently be thwarted by Dennis' misguided attempts to be neighborly, help him out or otherwise simply be there. Mr. Wilson knew what he was capable of, so why shouldn't he be wary of his mere presence? You know the equation: Mr. Wilson + Dennis = disaster!

I thought this was another great series distributed by DIC Entertainment and if you appreciate the mischief a child can get into (and get others into), you'll agree - this "Menace" was never better!

Ten stars. catch it, and enjoy this master of "Menace"!

DTM was a classic show. A show of a troublemaker ADHD that annoyed his neighbor. Dennis may be a menace, although this show is classic.

I remember this cartoon from the 1980s, when I was just entering high school. I sat down and watched it every day before starting my homework.

However, there's something about this show that I think needs to be pointed out here. That has to do with Mr. Wilson and his relationship with Dennis.

Yeah, yeah, I know it's just a cartoon series, and that one of the major components of the "Dennis the Menace" storyline is the relationship between Dennis and his neighbor, Mr. Wilson.

However, I've found Mr. Wilson's whole attitude toward Dennis very unnerving, as I'm sure many people would agree. Simply put, Mr. Wilson yells at Dennis because he's trying to be a kid.

Dennis is just that, a simple, red-blooded American boy. He's inquisitive and (of course) mischievous, and his well-meaning attempts backfire on others -- usually, with Mr. Wilson on the worst end. But what young boy hasn't been that?

Mr. Wilson's response? He yells at him and tells Dennis to go away. Mr. Wilson constantly tells his wife, Martha, about how he looks forward to peace and quiet and must always add that he's glad Dennis won't be around (usually, just seconds before Dennis shows up).

I agree that Mr. Wilson's boorish demeanor is much less severe here than in the 1993 theatrical release (which contains a segment where Mr. Wilson basically tells Dennis to go to hell). There are even animated shorts in this series where Mr. Wilson sticks up for Dennis.

Maybe I'm missing the whole point of this show, but it seems to me that Dennis worships Mr. Wilson and wants to be a friend to him. All Mr. Wilson does is throw that offer back in his face and tells Dennis to go away.

If Mr. Wilson were any sort of man, he would sit down with Dennis, tell him I would love to be your friend but you have to allow me some time for some peace and quiet, and then informally spell out a few guidelines to follow. I'm sure Dennis would agree to Mr. Wilson's wishes if he did it right.

As for the cartoon itself, it really hasn't held up with me. It's more in the execution than in the general idea, which remains good. Sure, the stories are family-friendly (except for what I described above), that they're geared toward a younger audience and everything works out well in the end. But older viewers (i.e., parents, grandparents and college students who don't play drinking games with whatever TV show) might think the stories are too simple and think the animation is somewhat below par.

Still, the 1980s version of "Dennis the Menace" is enjoyable for many viewers, and that in itself merits a recommendation.

dennis the menace was a great 80s cartoon. and it brings back memories for me. i remember having to wait until 3 o'clock when all my mom's soap operas were over, before i could watch cartoons on the big tv, and right at 3 o'clock, this one was the one i went to. i enjoyed the cartoon a lot. it was very funny and had many good plots. if you're a cartoon lover like me, you'll love this one!

"Dennis the Menace" was, and is still one of my favorite cartoons that I watched growing up. I loved it how Dennis would always torment Mr. Wilson. Of course, Dennis had NO idea that he was giving Mr. Wilson such a hard time. The episodes where Dennis would always end up going on an adventure with one or a few of his friends were the coolest!!! This show also had some great vocal talent such as the late great Phil Hartman (I miss him!!!), and Maurice LaMarche to name a few.

If you ever see this show in the near future, and have never watched it, then check it out, you WON'T be disappointed. 10/10