Review: Over the Hedge (***)

OVER THE HEDGE
A film review by Steve Rhodes

Copyright 2006 Steve Rhodes



RATING (0 TO ****): ***



Looking in the window at a family of humans saying grace before dinner, a
bunch of the cute critters in OVER THE HEDGE decide they know what is going
on. The movie's central character, an adorable huckster of a raccoon named
RJ (voiced by Bruce Willis) explains, "That is the altar where they worship
the food."



This latest DreamWorks production features realistic looking CGI for the
animals but purposely makes the humans appear more like animated department
store mannequins. It's a blend that serves the comedy and the story well. As
co-directed by Tim Johnson, the director of ANTZ, and Karey Kirkpatrick, the
writer of CHICKEN RUN, the movie is a delightful rollercoaster of laughs.
Constantly frantic and funny, the characters rarely take time to catch their
breaths. Although there are only a few big laughs, with the extremely well
done and surprising ending having the best of them, the movie provides more
than enough chuckles to recommend it to all ages, even those without kids in
tow. Our packed audience of all ages demonstrated that the film does play
well to young and old alike. It wasn't just the little ones who were
giggling, which happens so often these days with the many subpar family
films.



The plot involves a bunch of sweet little animals from skunks to squirrels,
who fall under RJ's spell. They used to be led by the cautious and steady
Verne (voiced by Garry Shandling), a tortoise who keeps losing his shell.
But, when RJ shows up in their neck of the woods promising treats ranging
from corn chips to donuts, the animals abandon Verne and his nutritious and
fiber-filled diet of bark, bark and more bark. Steve Carell (THE 40 YEAR OLD
VIRGIN) plays Hammy, a scene stealer of a little squirrel who is like
parents' worst nightmare of a kid with a massive sugar overload. To say
Hammy bounces off walls would be a major understatement.



The story has RJ manipulating the animals to do his dirty work. After being
caught stealing and losing the junk food horde of a big bear (voiced gruffly
by Nick Nolte), RJ uses his new animal friends to gather replacement
supplies. RJ, however, tricks them into thinking that their battle of wits
with the suburban dwellers is in order to stock up on snack food for the
animals themselves and not to pay off his debt. Of course, there will be a
message in the end, but the film is never preachy and is a million miles
away from being saccharine. It's always sweet, but it's naturally sweet.



OVER THE HEDGE is one of those films that will leave you with a smile on
your face and a reflection that you did indeed have a rollicking good time.



OVER THE HEDGE runs a fast 1:26. It is rated PG for "some rude humor and
mild comic action" and would be acceptable for all ages.



The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, May 19, 2006. In
the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC theaters, the Century
theaters and the Camera Cinemas.



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i have just seen the poster
they are cute, thanks for reviewing,
i will watch it when it comes

hedgehogman,
http://funsundayschool.blogspot.com/

Steve Rhodes wrote:
OVER THE HEDGE
A film review by Steve Rhodes

Copyright 2006 Steve Rhodes



RATING (0 TO ****): ***



Looking in the window at a family of humans saying grace before dinner, a
bunch of the cute critters in OVER THE HEDGE decide they know what is going
on. The movie's central character, an adorable huckster of a raccoon named
RJ (voiced by Bruce Willis) explains, "That is the altar where they worship
the food."



This latest DreamWorks production features realistic looking CGI for the
animals but purposely makes the humans appear more like animated department
store mannequins. It's a blend that serves the comedy and the story well. As
co-directed by Tim Johnson, the director of ANTZ, and Karey Kirkpatrick, the
writer of CHICKEN RUN, the movie is a delightful rollercoaster of laughs.
Constantly frantic and funny, the characters rarely take time to catch their
breaths. Although there are only a few big laughs, with the extremely well
done and surprising ending having the best of them, the movie provides more
than enough chuckles to recommend it to all ages, even those without kids in
tow. Our packed audience of all ages demonstrated that the film does play
well to young and old alike. It wasn't just the little ones who were
giggling, which happens so often these days with the many subpar family
films.



The plot involves a bunch of sweet little animals from skunks to squirrels,
who fall under RJ's spell. They used to be led by the cautious and steady
Verne (voiced by Garry Shandling), a tortoise who keeps losing his shell.
But, when RJ shows up in their neck of the woods promising treats ranging
from corn chips to donuts, the animals abandon Verne and his nutritious and
fiber-filled diet of bark, bark and more bark. Steve Carell (THE 40 YEAR OLD
VIRGIN) plays Hammy, a scene stealer of a little squirrel who is like
parents' worst nightmare of a kid with a massive sugar overload. To say
Hammy bounces off walls would be a major understatement.



The story has RJ manipulating the animals to do his dirty work. After being
caught stealing and losing the junk food horde of a big bear (voiced gruffly
by Nick Nolte), RJ uses his new animal friends to gather replacement
supplies. RJ, however, tricks them into thinking that their battle of wits
with the suburban dwellers is in order to stock up on snack food for the
animals themselves and not to pay off his debt. Of course, there will be a
message in the end, but the film is never preachy and is a million miles
away from being saccharine. It's always sweet, but it's naturally sweet.



OVER THE HEDGE is one of those films that will leave you with a smile on
your face and a reflection that you did indeed have a rollicking good time.



OVER THE HEDGE runs a fast 1:26. It is rated PG for "some rude humor and
mild comic action" and would be acceptable for all ages.



The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, May 19, 2006. In
the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC theaters, the Century
theaters and the Camera Cinemas.



The movie has been getting great reviews and I will be happy to be able
to see a movie with my young daughter that I can stand. It's been so
long!! When I was childless I could just walk out of movies I didn't
like. But with a kid, you take the pain! Suck it in! LOL