Tom and Jerry: The Magic Ring is a 2002 American animated fantasy comedy film. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation (making it the first Tom and Jerry production to be made by that company, as parent company Time Warner, had purchased franchise then-owner Turner Broadcasting System in 1996) and Turner Entertainment Co., it was the first direct-to-video attempt to recapture the style of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera’s original film shorts from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as well as the final animated collaboration of both Hanna and Barbera, as Hanna died on March 22, 2001. It was directed by James Tim Walker, written by Tim Cahill & Julie McNally, produced by Tom Minton, and edited by Bradford H. Keatts.
The film was originally set for a 2001 release, but was instead released on March 12, 2002 on both VHS and DVD (nearly one year after Hanna’s death) due to a preview of the film found on some Warner Home Video DVDs, including the DVD releases of the Scooby-Doo television specials and direct-to-video films. A Game Boy Advance video game based on the film was also made.
Tom is left in charge of a priceless magical ring by a young wizard. When Jerry accidently gets the ring stuck on his head, he runs out into the city as Tom is close behind him in pursuit. Along the way, they reunite with old characters, such as Nibbles the gray mouse with the diaper, and Jerry’s cousin the strong mouse in the long yellow and black striped shirt. Tom and Jerry keep trying to get the ring off but it’s no use. How will they ever get it off?
Well, give it this…..it was a nice attempt to trying to go back to the basics with Tom & Jerry after Tom & Jerry: The Movie.
Tom & Jerry go back to remaining mostly quiet with Jeff Bennett & Frank Welker as the titular duo, the slapstick is very funny again, the leads are reduced to side characters in their own movie, the story is simple enough to make for a relaxing little watch.
The Magic Ring is a perfectly serviceable movie, still not quite Tom & Jerry back on top where they used to be but it’s certainly better than the 1993 movie.
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