OPEN SEASON 3

2010, Sony Pictures Animation

Animation

Rating: PG

Approx. 77 mins.

THE STORY:

Boog the bear (Matthew J. Munn) feels let down by his forest pals who have no time for him. Especially hurtful is the fact that his best bud, Elliot the deer (Matthew W. Taylor), is prioritizing family commitments over their friendship. Boog pines for some bear company, and his wishes seem to be granted when he discovers a visiting circus with performing bears.
Conveniently, just as much as Boog longs to join the circus, the circus' star performing bear, Doug (Matthew J. Munn) dreams of escaping. The two switch places, but it isn't long before they both realize that the grass isn't always greener. 
In the end, Boog finds love in the form of the circus' other star, Ursa, and brings her back to his forest home. Once back, he makes up with his friends thanks to his new-found understanding of the importance of recognizing their priorities.

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• caca
• stupid

VIOLENCE:

• nothing significant

TEACHING POINTS:

• respect others' priorities and need for time to themselves

THE UPSHOT:

It's OK. It would have been better if any of the original cast had actually been involved-- Crispin Glover and Georgia Engel aside, that is. But lately I've seen so many movies that are just so much worse than this one that my perspective has shifted a bit. 
It didn't offend the grown-ups in the room. It didn't bring the five-year-old in the room to tears. It wasn't overly long. It could have been much much worse. 

3/5