A dreary formula

Rating: 2/10 (4 June 2005)

Given that this is the same studio which gave us the Shreks, I expected more, but got less. This is a boring movie mostly remarkable for its lack of imagination or use of what could be an interesting plot. The setup is that there is a society of animals which operates at its own level. Animals can all talk to each other, but humans hear them grunt and roar or do whatever animal noises we expect them to make.
So here we have the fish out of water played out as a buddy version of the animal out of cage instead. The humor is sometimes toilet, sometimes the "can't we see the end of this joke" crotch hit, but mostly shouting. So a character will, when the director calls for humor in a non-humorous spot, will shout which is supposed to evoke laughter. It didn't work even for the three year old. The best part of this movie were the coming attractions which, for the most part, didn't even make it into the movie itself. Faked coming attractions?
There is absolutely nothing fresh, interesting or creative in this entire show aside from the animation of a lion's mane. It's probably all right to distract the kiddies for a few minutes, but for gosh sakes, there are parents too. Lately the studios have gotten it and provided movies for parents and children both. Prime examples are Mulan, the Shreks, the Toy Storys and Finding Nemo.
Sadly, this movie is a high production value equivalent to Plan 9 where those others are equivalent to The Godfather. Avoid if you can.