OPEN SEASON

2006, Columbia Pictures

Animated

Rating: PG

Approx. 86 mins.

THE STORY:

Boog the bear (Martin Lawrence) lives a life of domesticated ease as the quasi-pet of park ranger Beth (Debra Messing). His world is given a jolt when he discovers Elliot the deer (Ashton Kutcher) tied to the truck of a rule-breaking hunter. Boog releases and rescues the hapless deer, who then tries to convince the bear that his life in captivity is a freakish anomaly. Elliot manages to get Boog into a pile of trouble, which culminates in the townspeople thinking he has gone wild and needs to be relocated deep in the forest.

Life in the forest proves hard for Boog, who lacks the street-smarts or survival skills of the other animals living there. He also finds himself living under the threat of the impending hunting season opening. Elliot, desperate for Boog's friendship, pretends he is leading Boog back to his old home. Along the way, they bond as they try to foil the evil hunter. Ultimately, Boog realizes that the freedom of the forest and the friendship of its inhabitants is what he really wants.

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• Crap
• Stupid
• Shut up

VIOLENCE:

• hitting, falling and the like, but nothing significant

TEACHING POINTS:

• It's more about entertainment that messaging, but you could draw some points about friendship and honesty out if you really wanted to

THE UPSHOT:

A bit crude both visually and verbally, but very entertaining. The characters-- especially the deer-- are endearing and I found myself laughing along with the 5 year-old in the room. 

4/5