For a film with such a promising premise, it turns out to be a plodding example of how to squander potential.

A parody only by legal definition, The Mean One has no teeth as a naughty comedy or gory horror.

The Mean One has a handful of inspired lines, e.g., “Time to roast this beast!” but the production values, editing, score and photography are average at best, and we’re left with a film that will be remembered mostly for a cleverly twisted marketing hook.

You might want to just stick to the 1960s cartoon.