Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A dad invents a machine that turns his kids into tiny adventurers in their own backyard, which is now basically Jurassic Park but with lawn gnomes.

🍿 Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Shrinking Machine

Wayne Szalinski, a well-meaning but scatterbrained inventor, is determined to perfect his shrinking machine. His wife, Diane, feels neglected due to his obsession. Next door, Russ Thompson Sr. is eager to take his sons on a fishing trip, though his younger son, Russ Jr., is less than enthusiastic. A stray baseball sets off a chain of events that will change both families forever.

The Accidental Shrinking

Ron Thompson accidentally hits a baseball through the Szalinski’s attic window, activating Wayne’s partially functional shrinking machine. Ron and Nick Szalinski go up to retrieve the ball and get caught in the machine’s path. The machine shrinks them down to a quarter of an inch tall. Soon, Amy Szalinski and Russ Thompson Jr. join them, becoming victims of the device as well.

A Backyard Jungle

Unaware of what has happened, Wayne believes his machine is broken and sweeps the shrunken children into a dustpan and then into a garbage bag. The kids escape the bag and find themselves in the dangerous wilderness of their backyard. Everyday objects become monumental obstacles, and insects become fearsome creatures. They must work together to survive the journey back to the house.

The Search Begins

Wayne and Diane realize their children are missing and begin a frantic search. Meanwhile, the shrunken kids face numerous perils, including giant sprinklers, bees, and a menacing scorpion. They encounter a friendly ant, who they name Antie, who helps them along the way. Wayne eventually discovers that his machine worked and begins searching the yard, accidentally causing more hazards for the tiny kids.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Wayne Szalinski (Rick Moranis): An eccentric inventor whose shrinking machine accidentally miniaturizes his children and the neighbors’ kids.
• Diane Szalinski (Marcia Strassman): Wayne’s supportive but increasingly concerned wife and mother to Amy and Nick.
• Amy Szalinski (Amy O’Neill): The teenage daughter of Wayne and Diane who navigates the dangers of the backyard after being shrunk.
• Nick Szalinski (Robert Oliveri): The geeky son of Wayne and Diane, who is shrunk alongside his sister and neighbors, using his intelligence to help the group survive.
• Big Russ Thompson (Matt Frewer): The Szalinski’s neighbor and father to Russ Jr. and Ron, who initially clashes with Wayne but ultimately helps rescue the children.
• Little Russ Thompson (Thomas Wilson Brown): The elder son of Russ and Mae, who experiences personal growth during the shrunken adventure and has a crush on Amy.
• Ron Thompson (Jared Rushton): The younger son of Russ and Mae, whose baseball accidentally triggers the shrinking incident.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Wayne Szalinski: “I just shrunk our kids!” – Wayne exclaims in disbelief and horror after realizing what his invention has done.
• Big Russ Thompson: “What a waste of skin!” – Big Russ says this about Wayne, showing his initial disdain for the scientist.
• Nick Szalinski: “Where’d you learn artificial respiration?” – Nick asks Russ after Russ saves Amy from drowning during a sprinkler accident.
• Little Russ Thompson: “French class, kid.” – Russ answers Nick’s question, sarcastically, after giving Amy CPR.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $18,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $130,724,172
• Worldwide Gross: $222,724,172

💥 Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing this in the theater as a kid, and it blew my mind! The idea of being shrunk down and navigating my own backyard as a dangerous jungle was so exciting. Seeing the giant insects and oversized objects was incredible, and I was completely invested in the kids’ journey home. Even now, it’s a nostalgic favorite that brings back those feelings of wonder and adventure. That cereal bowl scene scared me for life! Rick Moranis, what happened to you?!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families with children”
  • “Fans of 80s adventure movies”
  • “Those who enjoy light-hearted sci-fi comedies”
  • “Anyone looking for a nostalgic family film”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild peril and scary situations (e.g., encounters with insects and near-misses with machinery)”
  • “Brief moments of sadness (e.g., the death of Antie)”
  • “Some scenes might be intense for very young children”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A high-concept comedy that delivers on its premise with impressive visuals and a heartwarming family message. Moranis shines as the well-meaning but scatterbrained inventor. The kids are good, and the visuals are incredible, making the viewer feel like they are the size of ants.
• RogerEbert.com: “While visually imaginative, the film lacks genuine humor. It relies too heavily on the premise and doesn’t fully develop the characters or their relationships. Some of the early effects are pretty good, but then the movie just loses steam.
• The New York Times: “A delightful family film that blends adventure and comedy seamlessly. The visual effects, though dated, are charming, and the story is engaging enough to keep audiences entertained. It is a fine film, and Rick Moranis is fantastic.

Audience Reactions

The special effects were mind-blowing for their time and still hold up.: Many viewers praised the innovative visual effects and the imaginative concept.

Rick Moranis’ portrayal of the quirky inventor was hilarious and endearing.: Fans loved Rick Moranis’ performance and his comedic timing.

Overall Consensus: A beloved family film that combines adventure, comedy, and impressive visual effects, although some aspects may feel dated by modern standards.

Awards

1. BAFTA Film Award (Best Special Visual Effects)- 1990

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was originally titled ‘Teeny Weenies’.”
• “Director Joe Johnston was a visual effects artist before directing this film, which helped him visualize and execute the large-scale special effects.”
• “The giant Cheerios in the cereal bowl scene were made from tractor inner tubes.”
• “James Horner’s score included elements from Raymond Scott’s ‘Powerhouse’, though controversy arose over proper attribution.”

🖥️ How to Watch Honey, I Shrunk the Kids?

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is widely available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability as part of a subscription. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD are also readily available through retailers like Amazon and Walmart, offering another way to enjoy this family classic.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, you might like these similar films:

• The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957): Classic shrinking story with similar themes of survival against larger-than-life obstacles.
• Land of the Giants (1968-1970): Television series where characters are shrunk down and must survive in a world of giants.
• Ant-Man (2015): Modern superhero movie using shrinking technology for action and comedy.
• Innerspace (1987): Thematic similarity of exploring the world from a tiny perspective inside a human body.

🛒 Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Related Products

• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids – Theatrical Movie Poster (27×40): Original theatrical poster to recapture the magic from when you first saw it. Great for a home theater or kid’s bedroom. It is in mint condition.
• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (Blu-ray): Watch the movie in stunning high definition. Own it forever so you can watch it with the family anytime.
• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The Journey Back: An exhilarating adventure game that allows you to play as one of the shrunken kids. Face challenges, solve puzzles, and navigate the backyard in this thrilling interactive experience.
• Funko Pop! Rick Moranis as Wayne Szalinski: A stylized collectible vinyl figure of Rick Moranis as Wayne Szalinski. A great item to show love to a great movie and wonderful actor.

🎧 Soundtrack

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by James Horner
• “The Ant” – performed by James Horner
• “Lawnmower” – performed by James Horner
• “Scorpion” – performed by James Horner
• “Fire” – performed by Jelani Jones with Planet 10

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

5 DEFUNCT Attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that NEED to come back! Disney World

Take a trip down memory lane with this video that explores the ‘Honey I Shrunk the Kids’ playground at Disney World, a beloved attraction that sadly no longer exists. It’s a chance to reminisce about the good old days and appreciate the magic that Disney has created over the years.

Yesterworld: The History of Disney’s Honey I Shrunk The Audience

Calling all Disney enthusiasts! This video is a treasure trove of information about the ‘Honey I Shrunk The Audience’ attraction. You’ll learn about its origins, how it worked, and why it was eventually closed. It’s a fascinating look at a piece of Disney history that many people remember fondly.

Honey I Shrunk the Kids – Disneycember

Prepare for some laughs and critical insight with Nostalgia Critic! In this video, Doug Walker reviews ‘Honey I Shrunk the Kids’, offering his hilarious and thought-provoking take on this classic film. Whether you’re a fan of the movie or just enjoy a good dose of entertainment, this video is sure to entertain.

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