Over the Hedge (DVD, 2006, Full Frame Version)

Over the Hedge (2006)

Starring: voices of Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling, Steve Carell, Thomas Haden Church, Allison Janney, Avril Lavigne, Eugene Levy, William Shatner
Director: Tim Johnson, Karey Kirkpatrick
Rating: PG
Category: Comedy


I don't get to get out and see the movies much but I love to watch the little ones when they watch these kidda movies My Nephew (Nate) and I often go to watch these together and I have to say he loves themall even if I don;t so from the eyes of a 3 year old they are all great!! but in my eyes here are my comments on this one

The dialogue is flat. This cast is filled with comedy pros, from Shandling and Steve Carell (whose hyperactive squirrel Hammy steals the movie) to the dynamic duo of Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara (think Frances McDormand and her three-cent stamp husband from “Fargo”), and damned if they’re given anything to work with. If there’s anything good to be said about the dialogue, it’s that it’s not loaded with sexual innuendo or otherwise inappropriate material for children, like a certain ogre movie which shall remain nameless.

Okay, enough complaining, let’s get to the good stuff. Despite the grievances above, “Hedge” is funnier than every other DreamWorks movie combined. There are some crazy chase sequences that have no basis in physics, but they work, damn it. As for the stolen bits, Hammy is clearly modeled after Scrat from the “Ice Age” movies (smart move, since Scrat is the only character in those movies worth watching), and one secondary – but unforgettable – joke from “Finding Nemo” is hilariously adapted here. They were also wise to acknowledge that they’re living in the world of animation, gleefully taking liberties with reality and using some truly random, and dead perfect, long distance shots (the less you know, the better).
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I expected nothing from “Over the Hedge,” and came out grinning ear to ear. I noted the flaws and filed them away, but they in no way prevented me from thoroughly enjoying this movie. They’re still a ways away from capturing a Pixar-esque level of magic, but they’ve taken great leaps in stepping up the quality and intelligence of their work, and that is to be commended. As long as there are no more Lord Farquaads on the horizon, DreamWorks Animation’s future looks bright, indeed.