Over the Hedge
Over the Hedge is a cute computer-animated film from 2006. Directed by Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick, the film was based on the syndicated comic strip drawn and written by Michael Fry and T. Lewis. The film was put out by DreamWorks animation and Paramount and drew a solid box office. It also did well in terms of critical acclaim. Packed with cultural references and quick wit, Over the Hedge is a solid computer-animated feature in a genre often packed with half-hearted efforts with minimal credibility.
Over the Hedge, like most computer-animated films, features a host of vocal talents. Bruce Willis stars as RJ the Racoon, a little creature who has found himself in a little predicament. RJ has inadvertently destroyed the goods of bear Vincent (Nick Nolte) and has just a week to replace the damaged goods. RJ happens upon a crew of foraging animals near a giant hedge. He develops a relationship with the foragers and quickly leads them “over the hedge” and into the suburban paradise on the other side. The animals, along with RJ, quickly learn about the strange habits of the human beings on the other side and run from exterminators and soccer moms.
Over the Hedge is a treat because of its humour and because of the plot’s witty ideas. The nature of the urban sprawl is explored, as the wasteful ideas of human beings and mass consumption. Scenes in which RJ describes the habits of human beings and eating are hilarious. The satire and wit are spot-on in Over the Hedge and the vocal talents have enough comedic presence to make the script stick like glue. The characters are entertaining and incredibly well-done, making for a highly entertaining comic ride through the film’s 87 minutes.
Garry Shandling stars as Verne, the tortoise and unofficial leader of the foraging crew. Hammy, the red squirrel and one of my favourite characters, was voiced by Steve Carell. Wanda Sykes voices Stella the Skunk, a skunk with confidence issues and an attitude problem. William Shatner is Ozzie the Opossum and Avril Lavigne is Heather, his daughter opossum. Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy play Penny and Lou, the porcupines. Allison Janney is Gladys Sharp, the suburban human terror and Thomas Haden Church is Dwayne, the exterminator. With this rich cast of vocal talents, there is never a dull moment during Over the Hedge.
Over the Hedge is effective mainly because of its comedy and quick wit. It pokes fun at several cultural ideas, including that of the ever-popular SUV. “How many people does it fit?” asks one furry character. “Usually one,” comes the response. Lines like this make the film fresh and amusing without being preachy or cutesy. Over the Hedge successfully walks the tightrope between delivering an annoying message and being tongue in cheek and charismatic. With solid characters, it’s easy to get caught up in the comical adventures and conversations in Over the Hedge.
Over the Hedge isn’t as strong as Shrek (the first film) or Finding Nemo, but it is a strong animated feature with a lot of laughs. The action sequences are fun and quick, creating a lot of chaos in very little space with the quick-witted gags flowing like water. The setups and comedic timing in the film are great, too, providing tons of fun for all ages. Adults watching the film with kids will likely have a good time and the kids will love the characters, especially Hammy. There’s a lot to see and experience with Over the Hedge and it is quality entertainment for the whole family.
The film deals with the idea of human encroachment in terms of nature, which is a nice touch to the normative values of animated features. The animals, except the poor bugs zapped in the zapper, are given quality treatment as respected individuals with personalities. The humans, on the other hand, are mostly villainous and vile, always wanting to trap the animals or kill them in the most “inhumane way possible.” The stereotypes of human beings in suburbia is, sadly, pretty accurate from my own experience. While this may be annoying for some viewers, I found it sardonic and hilarious. Some of the ideas in Over the Hedge had me rolling.
The animation is good, but it won’t win any awards based on its artistic merit. It’s above average animation at best. For the most part, Over the Hedge is a film designed for laughs and satire of the human condition. It’s a punchy, witty, funny little film that will provide plenty of fun for adults and kids alike. With top-notch vocal talents and good comic timing, Over the Hedge is a nice little treat.
Trailer:
