OVER THE HEDGE

2006, DreamWorks Animation

Animated

Rating: PG

Approx. 83 mins.

THE STORY:

Hungry raccoon RJ (Bruce Willis) steals the food cache of a hibernating bear then scrambles to replace the items when discovered. He happens upon a family of woodland animals just waking to a new spring and to a new housing development a hedge away from their natural idyll.

RJ ingratiates himself with his new acquaintances and plans to get them to unknowingly help him collect food from the humans on their doorstep. Verne the turtle (Gary Shandling) is the de facto leader of the group, and is both suspicious and jealous of RJ and his new ideas. His fears are stoked when the head of the development’s homeowners’ association (Allison Janney) employs some drastic methods of pest control.

Ultimately, RJ comes to appreciate the sincerity of the animals’ affection for him and for each other. He comes to regret his manipulation, and goes on a mission to make up for his mistakes.

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• stupid

VIOLENCE:

• No actual violence, just faked death scenes
• Heavy suggestions of impending threat and violence

TEACHING POINTS:

• Lying is wrong
• “Stupid is a bad word” (according to my 4 year old)
• Family
• Lots of environmental messaging re. waste, encroaching on nature, etc.

THE UPSHOT:

My 4 year old’s considered evaluation: “I liked it when the squirrel burped.” I see her point, but preferred the storyline, spot on voices and positive messages. 

The characters—with the possible exception of Avril Lavigne’s possum—are well constructed and acted. The story, while largely predictable in its outcome, is still interesting and worthwhile.  A lot of the humour flies over the heads of the young ones, but the general message gets across. And the adults can have a few chuckles.

The DVD also comes with some good kid oriented extras, including a short movie, interactive games and a drawing lesson.

The PG rating is a bit of a mystery to me. The language is fine, the fear factor—other than some pretty lethal traps—is minimal. I would group this more the G-rated films we’ve watched.

4/5