3 of 3

from Film Forum, 05/25/06
Releasing a computer-animated family comedy during a stretch of the year when there's precious little all-ages entertainment out there? Good marketing. Releasing it on the same weekend as a film so controversial that many families and religious groups will go see anything else to avoid putting money in the devil's pocket? Ingenious.

On the computer-animated food chain, Over the Hedge doesn't hold a candle to the best of Pixar's family classics, but its position is certainly nothing to scoff at. On the one hand, it lacks the technical mastery and creative innovation of the Toy Story films and the emotional resonance of Finding Nemo; then again, it's got much more heart than the Shrek films, and its skillful animation puts Hoodwinked to shame.

Perhaps the best analogy is to compare it to such stylish, energetic films as Monsters, Inc. Like that movie, Hedge pulls off the tricky feat of never wearing outs its welcome or seeming overlong, despite the fact that it's basically one long Saturday morning cartoon. Its plot is simple: RJ the raccoon (Bruce Willis) gets caught red-handed (pawed?) stealing a wagonload of food from vicious bear Vincent (Nick Nolte), who proves what Stephen Colbert has been cautioning us all along—bears are godless killing machines. Thankfully for RJ, Vincent's still got a week's worth of hibernation to attend to before he'll have the energy to unleash his fury, giving RJ a precious seven days to replenish the bear's snack supply if he wishes to save his life.

In order to complete his goal, RJ enlists the help of a gaggle of unwitting accomplices: Vern, an ever-cautious tortoise (Gary Shandling); a pair of porcupines (Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara, reunited after their scene-stealing work in A Mighty Wind) and their three kids; Stella (Wanda Sykes), a feisty, usually-cranky skunk; Ozzie (William Shatner), a drama-loving opossum, and his daughter Heather (Avril Lavigne); and a lovable, hyperactive squirrel, Hammy (brilliantly voiced by Steve Carrell, who manages to make the character into something far more than the Hoodwinked knock-off he could have been). Together, the intrepid varmints begin a week's worth of pillaging and pilfering, venturing into the world of human suburbia and swiping as much junk food as they can get their paws on.

My full review of the film is posted at Reveal.

Steven D. Greydanus (Decent Films) is not quite as excited: "Over the Hedge is pretty middle-of-the-road entertainment — until the final third, when it kicks into high gear and goes out on a high note."

David DiCerto (Catholic News Service) agrees: "Mediocre but cheerily enjoyable, the movie imparts a commendable message about family and acting unselfishly, while offering funny commentary on our consumer society's obsession with excess, whether it's for food, sport utility vehicles or entertainment electronics."

Marcus Yoars (Plugged In), however, praises the film for its "several sweet messages about family and loyalty, great onscreen textures that will likely have tots reaching out to pet the furries, and vivid vocal performances. What you end up with is an animated critter caper that, while certainly not perfect and not even necessarily a classic, is better than average in the clever, creative—and clean—categories."

Stephen McGarvey (Crosswalk) says, "You could say that Over the Hedge is predictable, but in the end that doesn't really matter. It's cute, laugh-out-loud funny, and can be enjoyed on many levels."

Shari McMurray (Christian Spotlight) also sings the film's praises: "Full of wonderful realistic computer animation, Over The Hedge has characters you can relate to and have a fun time with. What modern kid's animation flick doesn't have 'potty jokes' these days? This one has a few, but they are not as distasteful as many out there and it is kinda funny when a character burps and tinges the air a deep magenta."

Mainstream critics are generally pleased with the film, if not overwhelmed.

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