Over the Hedge (U)

DreamWorks animation studio cannot be categorised as a failure when the till receipts are being counted. Shrek 1 & 2, Shark Tale, and Madagascar have all performed well at the worldwide box office but (Shrek’s short-lived pop culture references aside) have suffered from one fatal flaw - they were a bit rubbish. With their latest effort, Over the Hedge, it appears that somebody has actually listened to this criticism and surprised everybody with a genuinely likeable and funny animated caper.

Bruce Willis voices a smart-talking (not a great stretch, then?) raccoon called RJ who gets into a spot of bother by trashing the food store of an understandably angry bear (Nick Nolte). Given a week to replace the food, he enlists the help of some forest-dwelling critters that are susceptible to his ways because their wooded environment is under threat after the appearance of a mysterious hedge. Said critters include constantly worried turtle Verne (Gary Shandling), and the superbly manic squirrel Hammy (Steve Carrell).

DreamWorks’ previous cartoon failures have been because of a reliance on its voice cast as a selling point and on the aforementioned pop culture references without any semblance of a plot. Over the Hedge isn’t the Citizen Kane of animated features but it does have a simple linear structure on which to hang some fantastic set-pieces, including the first foray into the suburban house, where even the usually crass product placement (THX surround sound) has hilarious consequences, plus the highly inventive Mission Impossible-style sequence in which our heroes must manoeuvre their way through a series of traps in the garden to avoid capture. There is an exuberant energy on display that can’t help but cover up any shortcomings the film may have.

The voice cast are all perfect for their characters. Bruce Willis is restrained enough to be likeable, Wanda Sykes is sassy and streetwise as the skunk despite some weird relationship choices (you’ll understand), and Steve Carrell's Hammy steals the show with a combination of crazy vocals and some great character ticks courtesy of some ever-improving animators. Over the Hedge is a welcome surprise for the summer months - an original and funny film that kids will love. But more importantly, the grown-ups amongst you will be grateful that studios are beginning to learn that it takes more than a menagerie of beautifully rendered creatures to make a good film.

Dreamworks and Paramount Home Entertainment have announced the UK Region 2 DVD release of Over the Hedge for 4th December 2006.
Available in Single-Disc (£19.99) and Two-Disc Hammy Special Edition (£24.99) versions extra features are detailed below…

Hammy’s Boomerang Adventure

• In a specially created short for the DVD, the loveable and hyper Hammy tries in vain to outsmart a boomerang, with optional commentary
  
  Verm-Tech Institute Infomercial
  
• A hilarious spoof inviting viewers into the glamour world of suburban pest extermination
  
  Behind The Hedge
  
• A featurette showing how the DreamWorks animation team captured the personalities of this comic strip whilst studying the real-life intricacies of the animals
  
  Commentary
  
• With Directors Tim Johnson and Karey Kilpatrick and Producer Bonnie Arnold
  
  Meet the Cast
  
• Interviews with the entire voice cast
  
  The Tech of Over The Hedge
  
• An inside look at the amazing and ground-breaking process of creating Over The Hedge. Interviews with the animation team
  
  Dream Works Kids (DWK): This Way to Play
  
• A virtual playground offering a variety of programming and creative activities just for kids including:
  • Animal Fun Facts: Critter 411 – a look at the real life counterparts
  • Animator 101: Learn To Draw “Hammy” – a drawing lesson with Supervising Animator David Burgess
  • Favourite Scenes locator
  • Set-Top Games - Features fun Over The Hedge-themed games and activities such as:
    • Backyard Obstacle Course”: A multi-level game based on the backyard trap scene
    • “Acorn Toss”: The woodland critters hide their nuts for winter and you can too by trying to toss your supply of acorns into various storage bins for points!
  • DVD-ROM Activities – an assortment of creative activities and printables