Open Season

For its foray into 3-D animation Sony has chosen a well-worn path: genetically fierce animals live in the lap of domesticated luxury until they’re dumped back in the wild sans survival instincts. It’s the set-up for Madagascar and The Wild, but here, instead of lions and zebras, we get Boog (Martin Lawrence), a grizzly bear, and Elliot (Ashton Kutcher), a halfwit mule deer. Boog has been raised by a park ranger (Debra Messing), but after a sugar binge, he’s tranquilized and dropped atop a mountain on the eve of hunting season. Predator and prey bond in the name of survival and later team up with the forest’s potpourri of brassy inhabitants (beavers, skunks, and squirrels, oh my) to thwart the hunters descending on their enclave. Directors Roger Allers, Jill Culton, and Anthony Stacchi keep the material fast and loose. It’s a surefire pleaser for kids and a painless pass-you-by for anyone over 12.

On the Web
Open Season's Web site: //www.sonypictures.com/movies/openseason/

ADVERTISEMENT