Well-animated satire with a worthy cast

Rating: 6/10 (29 December 2006)

I always find myself with a lack of creative things to say when commenting on animated films, so I'll make this brief: "Over the Hedge" is a cute, well-animated morality tale (with themes of family, redemption, and the value of hard work) with an excellent cast: Bruce Willis as RJ, a thieving raccoon on the run from Vincent (Nick Nolte), a gravel-voiced bear; RJ meets with a group of hibernating animals, from earnest turtle Vern (Garry Shandling) to porcupines voiced by Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara (re-creating the wonderful chemistry evidenced in their work with Christopher Guest). While the dazzling animation will appeal to kids, adults will appreciate the biting commentary on the suburban landscape (including an hilarious explanation of how humans obtain, consume, and dispose of food).