Over
the Hedge is the latest computer animated feature to star cute talking animals.
It’s also the latest computer animated feature to not come from Pixar which
isn’t particularly good news unless your name is Shrek. In the case of Over
the Hedge though, it isn’t an altogether bad thing. I’d rank this along
side Ice Age: The Meltdown. It’s moderately enjoyable fun for the whole family,
but it lacks the pure magic and heartfelt sensibility that comes with the likes
of Finding Nemo and The Incredibles.
Over
the Hedge tells the story of a racoon who strikes a bond with a pack of woodland
creatures. He enlists his newfound pals to help him cross “Over the Hedge”
so that they might steal numerous items (most of them edible) from the human family
that live beyond the great woodland barrier. What the racoon fails to tell the
gullible gang, is that the stolen goods will serve to appease a mean old grizzly
bear he robbed not but a few days earlier.
First
and foremost, Over the Hedge is cast to near perfection. Not only are the voices
spot on, but the characters resemble their human counterparts in all the right
places. Bruce Willis is perfectly playful as the scheming racoon RJ. Gary Shandling
provides the voice of wisdom in the chinless form of the ever-cautious turtle
Vern. Steve Carell is an absolute riot as a hyperactive squirrel named Hammy.
While this is simply a variation of Scrat from Ice Age, Carell provided enough
manic energy to keep me in stitches - particularly during an inspired scene in
which a wired Hammy moves at such lightning quick speed, the rest of the planet
slows down. Nick Nolte voices Vincent the bear, and the whole time I watched him,
I kept thinking of that infamous mug shot of the actor that graced all the tabloids
a few years back. Simply hilarious. Rounding out the cast are Thomas Haden Church,
Allison Janney, Eugene Levy, William Shatner, Catherine O’ Hara, Wanda Sykes,
and pop (she’s not punk no matter what she says) star Avril Lavigne.
The
screenplay is sprinkled with cute little references to Citizen Kane, Dr. Phil,
and Monopoly, and save for a few slightly risque moments (one featuring a human
with large breasts and a gag involving nuts), Over the Hedge is mostly family-friendly
fare.
Again, most
of the film’s funniest moments involve Steve Carell’s Hammy. There’s
a hilarious bit in which the clueless squirrel poses as a rodent with rabies to
scare the wits out of a couple of girl scouts. I also got a kick out of a sequence
in which we learn why it is animals rummage through our garbage. What’s more,
we discover once and for all, why animals lick themselves - all valuable insights.
In
terms of tone, Over the Hedge kind of reminded me of a Looney Tunes cartoon. And
in fact, there’s even a scene in which Wanda Sykes’ skunk Stella, dons
a sexy feline disguise in an effort to run some interference on a pesky housecat.
The scenarios was reminiscent of a Pepe Le Pew short.
I
liked the energy in Over the Hedge and for what it’s worth, it moves at a
quicker clip than Madagascar, but I wouldn’t say I was overwhelmed by the
experience. I recently had an opportunity to see an advanced screening of Pixar’s
Cars and I can honestly say without question, it is an awe inspiring movie. It
suffers a bit in the story department but more than makes up for it visually.
Over the Hedge by comparison is fun and light on it’s feet, but it isn’t
necessarily groundbreaking.
I’m
sure the kids will have a fun time at Over the Hedge and I certainly plan on taking
my little ones to see it. Just, don’t go in with expectations too high and
you’ll get through the hedge just fine.
Who's
In It: (the Voices of) Gary Shandling, Bruce Willis, Wanda Sykes, and Steve
Carell
