Getting Over the Hedge is Only the Half of It.

Rating: 7/10 (5 June 2015)

Over the Hedge (2006): Dir: Tim Johnson, Karey Kirkpatrick / Voices: Bruce Willis, Gary Shandling, Steve Carell, William Shatner, Wanda Sykes: Delightful computer animation about taking risks. R.J. the raccoon steals and loses the food of Vincent the bear and has a week to replace it. R.J. cons a group of small animals into helping him but the obstacle is a hedge that separates them from suburbia. Although formula driven directors Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick do a fantastic job at creating entertainment for children out of simple storytelling. Bruce Willis voices R.J. Who goes from having nothing to having everything. His methods of dealing with Vincent are creative. Gary Shandling voices Verne the Turtle. The character is flat and seem countless times in other films. Steve Carell voices Hammy the energetic squirrel who cannot keep it together. William Shatner voices Ossie the possum who worries for the well being of his daughter. Wanda Sykes voices a skunk who has the misfortune of having to decoy a dog while pretending to be a cat. We have seen that before. Part of the problem with this film is that the characters come off as types as oppose to personalities. While R.J and Ossie seem complex enough, the other animals are very much one dimensional. Interesting viewpoint from the animals resulting in a family film that kids will find worth crossing over the hedge to see. Score: 7 / 10