Movie Review - Over the Hedge

Over the Hedge (3 of 5): Here’s your basic kids movie, released by Dreamworks last summer to capitalize on the current trend of computer animated “buddy” flicks. The film is about a sneaky raccoon that accidentally destroys a bear’s food stash. Understandably, the bear is pissed and gives the raccoon until next full moon to get it all back, or else… The raccoon befriends a group of naïve animals who wake up from hibernation to find their woods completely surrounded by suburban expansion. The hilarity ensues when they help the raccoon steal all the stuff he is looking for from local suburbanites. Of course, its drama time when the other animals find out they are being used and friendships dissolve as a result. Then, in the face of adversity, friends re-unite and everybody learns some important lessons. Gee, sound familiar? Yeah, it’s good stuff for kids but pretty formulaic for adults.

There really is nothing special about this movie, except for maybe the wide array of actors and actresses that lend their voice talent. Unfortunately, we have seen the basic story recreated a million times over the years, so it all seems rather repetitive at this point. The animation is okay. Although bright and colorful, I thought the textures could have been better in some areas. Overall, I felt the movie looked thrown together and rushed to get it out to theater for the busy and profitable summer season ’06.