Character Analysis
If little Ron Thompson were our neighbor, we would've punted that little dude like an NFL kicker. We're glad we aren't, though, because this Dennis the Menace-wannabe proves to have quite the heart beneath his obnoxious exterior.
Brat Attack
Unlike Little Russ, who doesn't have any interest in following in his dad's footsteps, Ron is active, outdoorsy, and interested in playing sports. He's even excited to go on the family fishing trip.
Despite this obvious connection, however, Big Russ doesn't pay much attention to his youngest son. Check out this failed interaction:
RON: Hey Dad, want to go play some baseball?
BIG RUSS: Baseball? No.
That's harsh. Why do you think Big Russ reacts like this? Is it because he merely thinks of Ron as a troublemaker? Is it because he identifies primarily with Little Russ as his eldest son and namesake? Or does the dude just really hate baseball that much?
No matter which way you slice it, this leaves Ron unable to connect with the dad he desperately wants to have a relationship with.
Man's Best Friend
We see a similar lack of connection when he gets cut down to size (literally) alongside the Szalinski kids. He's super confrontational with Nick, who he sees as the biggest nerd on the planet, and is often contentious with Amy, who he sees as a smelly girl. Cooties are real, folks. This again presents a strong contrast with Little Russ, who constantly risks his own safety to protect his next-door neighbors.
Ultimately, Ron reveals his sensitive side by making an unlikely friend: an ant. After they successfully wrangle the insect (who they affectionately dub "Antie"), Ron is the only one who actually thinks about how the ant feels. Just look at what he says after a long day of riding their newly domesticated insect friend:
RON: Why don't we let him go? He's worn out and his family might be worried about him.
Not only is Ron showing a great deal of empathy here, but he's also identifying his own feelings of fear within an insect. Well done, kid.
Menace No More
Now, we don't think Ron is going to walk away from the film a fully reformed member of society—he's probably going to get into just as much mayhem as he did before. Regardless, the kid reveals an incredible amount of emotional maturation by the end of his shrunken adventures, and we're sure he'll be a lot better of a person as a result.