‘Over the Hedge’, while being an amusing, animated affair, suffers from a hodge-podge of shortcomings.
Don’t worry parents. The kids will still probably love it.
As the umpteenth CG wise cracking animal tale, it should come as no surprise that the formula Dreamworks used to concoct ‘Over the Hedge’ is running thin.
Equal parts celebrity voices, pop culture jokes and a few hollow tunes don’t add up to much without a keen script.
Just ask the folks over at Pixar.
Reviewer’s Note: These days you can’t truly discuss computer animation without invoking the Pixar name.
Though Dreamworks has been able to carve its own niche with the Shrek films, a review of a film like ‘Over the Hedge’ without mention of Pixar is like discussing theater without mentioning that Shakespeare fellow.
In the spirit of fairness, however, I will try to refrain from the ‘P’ word.
Based on the comic strip of the same name, ‘Over the Hedge’ follows a group of furry friends as they come out of hibernation.
Spring has brought monumental change.
This inter-species family (a hyper squirrel (Steve Carrell), a sassy skunk (Wanda Sykes), a family of porcupines (led by Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara), a possum father / daughter team (William Shatner’s the dad) and their pragmatic turtle leader, Verne (Gary Shandling)) wakes to find their forest has been drastically reduced by suburban sprawl.
With their chief food source diminished, what will the cute little guys eat?
Enter RJ (Bruce Willis -- yes, Bruce Willis), a raccoon who has entirely acclimated to the encroachment of the “freaky pink primates”.
RJ is still a raccoon with a problem. He foolishly tried to steal human swag from the wrong bear (Nick Nolte -- is your head spinning yet from all the stunt casting?).
Now, RJ must replenish the bear’s food supply or become it.
By posing as the furry gang’s cool savior, RJ gets them hooked on the joys of junk food so they will unwittingly gather fresh pickings for him.
While the initial theme of eco-commentary has story potential galore, ‘Over the Hedge’ instead shifts focus to skewering the human world of excess comforts.
As RJ briefs his new friends on wacky human ways, ‘Over the Hedge’ makes some devastatingly funny observations. Everything from single driver SUVs to cheese food is fair game.
The humans, however, don’t think these critters poking around is cute at all.
The fascist leader of the Home Owner’s Association (Allison Janney) hires the Verminator (Thomas Haden Church) to eradicate the “pests”.
Suddenly, ‘Over the Hedge’ moves from ecological comedy, through satire and into slapstick action fare.
If this weren’t enough, ‘Over the Hedge’ is also a family film. You know it’s a family film because there’s a message about... well, family.
RJ ‘s “forage or die” pact with the bear will lead to a second act betrayal of his new “family”. This invariably leads to a “stand by your family” moral that feels more than a little shop worn.
Oh, yeah. There’s also the buddy film angle with RJ and Verne competing for control over their brethren.
If ‘Over the Hedge’ is too top heavy with storylines, the vast cast of characters tends to make up for it.
The aforementioned stunt casting in the voice department helps since most of these names are certified character actors.
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Steve Carrell, once again, is a stand out. His Hammy the Squirrel is manic fun and clearly inspired the animators.
William Shatner also gives plenty to play off including his... own... stilted... delivery.
His possum’s prolonged “death” scene is pure comedy for Trekkies everywhere.
A problem, however, arises from having the likes of Bruce Willis, Nick Nolte and Gary Shandling voicing characters.
No matter how well they do, they always sound like the celebrities that they are and it’s a little distracting.
Too often you find yourself trying to pick out their familiar vocal patterns. Character voices should be invisible, something the aforementioned character actors know all too well. Maybe that’s why their contributions succeed more often.
‘Over the Hedge’ also has some success with its gags. Writer / Directors Tim Johnson (‘Antz’) and Karey Kirkpatrick (writer of ‘Chicken Run’) don’t always go for the easy joke.
When RJ and Verne are confronted with a destructive dog, it’s not the usual killer. This is an overexcited pup that wants to play and play rough.
Hammy’s moment of triumph involving the effects of an energy drink on the already wound up squirrel is equally inspired.
Most gags, however, don't score above a well scripted episode of ‘The Simpsons’.
Even Dreamworks own Madagascar handled animals in a modern world of pop references better one stand out... (the homage to Pepe Le Pew with Stella, the not-so-femme skunk fatale made this Warner Brothers fan snicker).
The animation in ‘Over the Hedge’ is nothing special, either. It’s not bad, just what you expect.
The animal characters are cute and stylized.
The humans aren’t stylized enough (though far and away less creepy than any of those ‘Polar Express’ abominations).
At least Pixar tries to up the artistic ante with each successive film (see it took me this long to mention Pixar).
One impressive feat... for a film that skewers consumerism, ‘Over the Hedge’ is mostly free of product placement.
That doesn’t mean we avoid songs from the obligatory soundtrack album. Here, Ben Folds tries to fill Randy Newman’s shoes.
Though well played, it’s hard not to feel a little Pixar envy when these extraneous tunes pop up. That studio knows when a song is needed and when it isn’t (see ‘The Incredibles’ which is Newman free).
In spite of its flaws, ‘Over the Hedge’ does manage to reach a basic entertainment level. You may not remember it afterwards, but that’s because, much like the junk food scarfed down by RJ and pals, ‘Over the Hedge’ is the movie equivalent of empty calories.
Opens wide USA May 19th MPAA rated PG 13
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