for whatever reason and this film have be somewhat underrated since it release in the early ninety . i suspect that much of the apathy stem from the fact that audience at that time have reach the saturation point with little kid outsmart the bad guy slapstick ( home alone 1 and 2 and the three ninjas series and etc ) . still and this version of dennis mitchell escapade be well worth a look and and be certainly hold it own against other john hughes film with a similar ( ok and identical ) premise . the highlight of the film include win performance by mason gamble and walter mathau a dennis and mr. wilson and respectively . mason gamble be one of the more talented child actor to grace the screen at the time if youre able to see more than a cute kid and listen to his inflection and he actually pretty funny . mathau and of course and be mathau and brilliant . it somewhat annoy that the film decide to go pc in portray alice mitchell a a career woman and but other than that and the casting of the parent and martha wilson be perfect . the musical score be also excellent whimsical and nostalgic and without come across a cloying . there be only two problem with the film and but they be big one . first and the director do not adequately develop wilson friendship with dennis and which make the end scenes seem force and trite . the only recollection i have of wilson even speak civilly to dennis before he run away be when he briefly explain why he keep his coin in a safe . other than that and their relationship be nothing but snarl and grumbling and and apology . secondly and the introduction of switchblad sam be a typical ( and oh so tired ) hughes device and although it be surprisingly violent compare to his other film ( watch a cute little five year old force feed and then accidentally set a villain on fire be slightly disturb and to say the least ) . christopher lloyd performance be over the top and distracting and take away from what could have become a semi classic child film .