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Over the Hedge

Unexpectedly deep family fare

By CHRIS WANGLER | May 19, 2006

3.5 Stars

Over the Hedge

“We eat to live; they live to eat.” This unexpectedly heady merry-go-round is the other message movie to open on May 19. Newly awakened from hibernation, a handful of meek forest critters discover that a sprawling suburban development has risen around them. Do they (a) continue to forage for dried-out berries and bark or (b) follow the advice of a cheeky, self-serving raccoon (voice of Bruce Willis) and venture “over the hedge” to feast on the limitless human garbage? This is a bona fide Issue in Society for directors Karey Kirkpatrick and Tim Johnson, who have adapted the Michael Fry/T Lewis comic strip, as they cast a knowing eye on the temptations of suburban wildlife while skewering the latte-fueled paranoia of the “creepy pink primates.” Some clever casting and zany slapstick help bring Over the Hedge back down to earth, but parts of it will still sail over people’s heads. In one bizarro set piece, a caffeine-addled squirrel (ditzily voiced by Steve Carell) moves so quickly that the entire world stands still. Kids won’t get it, and neither will many of their folks — at least, not on the first go-round.

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Topics: Reviews , Mammals, Nature and the Environment, Wildlife, More

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Watch the trailer for Over the Hedge (QuickTime)

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