Review: ‘Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass’ Abandons Classic Duo for Chaotic Chinese Mythology

‘Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass’ opens with a fleeting homage to the characters’ traditional dynamic, but quickly abandons the iconic rivalry for a convoluted narrative set in China. The film begins at a New York museum exhibition titled “Traveling Exhibition of the Astral Compass – Journey to the Enigmatic East,” where Tom, serving as a security guard, prevents Jerry from entering. Their ensuing chase inadvertently activates the mystical compass, transporting both to ‘Golden City,’ a setting inspired by the Forbidden City.

Once in Golden City, the story pivots entirely away from the central duo. Viewers are introduced to Phoenix Master and his eccentric, bird-like sidekick Feeny, who have been dispatched by the Celestial Master to retrieve the compass. They are aided by anthropomorphic roof decorations named Sonny and Xander, while facing off against the villainous Mega-Rat and his henchrats. Consequently, Tom and Jerry are relegated to the status of peripheral observers for the remaining 95 minutes.

The film employs Orientalist tropes, including scenes where Chinese characters mistake the Americans for deities and provide them with sponsored tours of local landmarks. Visually, the movie presents a jarring mix of styles: Chinese traditional landscapes blend with manga-inspired warfare and Hollywood-style slapstick. The animation style for the human and Chinese characters resembles a knock-off of Pixar aesthetics, while background crowds appear to be generated with AI, adding to the overall incoherence.

One particularly discordant sequence features Tom and Jerry consuming noodles and dumplings at a buffet while a rap song plays lyrics about making a million dollars. Produced by China Film Group in partnership with Warner Bros. and Origin Animation, the film represents a significant geopolitical crossing of intellectual property brands. However, critics suggest the result is too bewildering even for children accustomed to fast-paced digital content, and may prove unappealing to parents seeking quality entertainment for their families.