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I'm going to bring down the average a bit. When I think of excellent 5-rated animated films, "Beauty and the Beast," "Finding Nemo," "The Incredibles," and "The Curse of The Were-Rabbit" set the bar. "Over The Hedge" is more of a 2.5 with the benefit of the doubt on the side of nice computer graphics. Not long ago a writer speculated that the reason this film and the recently released "Open Season" have made less money than expected was because the audience has gotten too used to this style of computer graphics. I don't think that's the case; Disney thrived for years on the same style. I think it's more that the audience is getting tired of having the same prototype of character and story repeated on end. "Over The Hedge" feels so recycled; the dialogue so stale. One suspects they churned this out to turn over a quick buck. All the creativity has gone into the animation as if character and story were just an afterthought. You can go back to the success of "The Lion King" that introduced the very popular characters of the warthog, Pumbaa and the meerkat, Timon. Ever since versions of these characters seem to pop up in way too many animated films. They show up here with R.J. the racoon, Verne the turtle, and Hammy the squirrel. Then tack on as many celebrity voices as you can. I wasn't quite sure what to make of Wanda Sykes providing the voice for the black skunk who exists on fringe of social acceptability; and didn't want to read too much into it stereotype casting-wise. The cute little scavengers too often speak in the overly precocious, faux hip vernacular of annoying sitcom children. It doesn't seem considered. The makers of "Finding Nemo" talked about how they agonized over and spent years working out the dialogue and kinks in the story. And it showed. It was not only witty, wise and wonderful but very original. And that's what's missing here. "Over the Hedge" isn't very original at all. It's not that it's horrible, it's just more of the same. The animation is fun and there are some lively action scenes that kids will enjoy, but it adds up to the equivalent of a C paper. A neighbor lent me the movie and I wouldn't want to spend the money on the DVD or see it again. There is much better out there. I give it a meh and a shrug.Read full review
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). <img border="0" src="http;//i-love-catz.com/over_the_hedge_1.jpg" width="250" height="180"> 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.Read full review
This is a fantastic movie....some children's movies seem to address that demographic only and even then, not in an entertaining way! Over the Hedge however has something for the whole family and would be an asset to your home movie collection! This Dreamworks production boasts a number of big stars: Wanda Sykes, Steve Carell, Bruce Willis, William Shatner to name but a few! The premise of the story being the Raccoon...a petty food thief, picks the wrong target when he steals the winter supplies of a bear, and finds himself forced to replenish the food he takes! So, he pays the suburbs a visit and befriends the local wildlife population - who prior to hibernation lived in the wild - and wake up to find themselves fenced out of a new suburbia that emerged over the winter months!! Our crafty raccoon "helps" them collect food from the human world, the whole time plotting to take it away in order to repay his debt, but as the movie evolves a lesson is learned! The battle between animal and human life is simply hysterical...this movie takes a tongue in cheek look at suburbia, poking fun at adult behavior!! The comedy will appeal to the younger demographic, but superb writing also places a lot of humor in this movie that is directed at the adult audience - for example, we see a scene of a local driving around in a huge SUV....what one animal questions what it is...the other explains that humans have to have these tanks as they have lost the ability to walk, whilst also poking fun at the sheer size of the vehicle for "one person"!!! It points out many concepts that we see as normal but are actually quite absurd!! The animated characters are loveable and funny - and the scene where they become accustomed to human food and possessions cannot be missed!! A great DVD for the whole family!!Read full review
I was trying to find a Blu-ray version of Over the Hedge, but to my surprise there wasn't any. Oh, well. As long as I've got the movie. I find this to be a very entertaining movie. I love raccoons and I'm glad that a raccoon is the star of the movie lol. Of course, I like the other characters too. Even the stubborn turtle "Verne". Everything else has been great too! A Dreamworks Animation triumph.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Over the Hedge is a cute tale of your everyday critters learning the lessons of domesticated life. RJ the racoon has a run in with a bear whos food he tries to steal, he is forced to trick a bunch of 'hibernators' into helping him collect enough food for the winter (the food is really for the bear). Along the way he teaches the hibernators the way of domesticated scrap eating animals and where to find the best human foods. Despite some trouble with exterminator and a crazy house wife the hibernators teach RJ what real friends do for each other and other lessons of friendship! A great story, and very funny! Highly recommend!
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