Want to watch an animated film that is both musical and comical, with a touch of the Wild West? Turn to Tom and Jerry: Cowboy Up, for it is an amalgamation of all three genres. This flick can only be termed as a God-sent for those who had been waiting for an action-adventure animation with songs and lots of fun, for it caters to them exclusively.

Just like in most of the Wild West movies, there is a ranch, a greedy land-grabber, and a peace-loving family. A stranger usually comes up to help the family and defeat the evil forces. Here, the family is saved by unusual heroes Tom and Jerry, who are no strangers to us. For decades, kids have grown up watching the ‘mostly mute’ cat and mouse duo, running after one another, bringing smiles to the faces of the viewers.

Cowgirl Betty and her father live peacefully in the Wild West until the Duke threatens them. However, the arch enemies of the past put their differences aside and join hands to save the day. The ranch where Jerry and his nephews live is in danger and from the town arrives Tom. He is not a gun-slinging stranger from the unknown, but surely is a big help.

The film can be termed as a routine battle between the good and the bad, with the ‘good’ comprising of Tom, Jerry and his nephews, as well as the kind-hearted folks running the family ranch and some prairie dogs. On the other hand, the ‘bad’ includes the Duke, his clumsy henchman and a clever horse, along with the usual bad-cats from Tom and Jerry cartoons. The noticeable omission from the cast was that of Spike, the bulldog, who would have surely ended on the good side, for he is always on the right side of the law. To cover the canine element, there are prairie dogs who helped Tom and Jerry.

The soundtrack of the movie reminds one of Clint Eastwood’s spaghetti westerns, be it The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, Hang ‘em High or High Plains Drifter, and if you haven’t seen them, then you should ask your parents about them. Tom and Jerry: Cowboy Up has several songs rendered in the Western-style whereas the violence isn’t as harmful as Tom and Jerry cartoons. The moments where a cowboy falls backward into a cactus, and all family members throw pies at each other reminds one of Tom and Jerry adventures.

This movie is ageless and would be liked by all ages. However, it has some positive messages about teamwork and a true definition of home and family.

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 12th, 2022