Movie Review : Over the Hedge

While my parents and family were asleep I managed to snuck out to watch Over the Hedge (abit sad really). The show was at 12.20 am and I was slightly surprised to find out that I was the only one watching the movie then! It doesn't matter, all the better to enjoy the movie all to myself. Now on with the review:

Over the Hedge is about RJ, a streetwise and resourceful racoon meeting a colourful group of animals just awoken from hibernation. The animals finds out that during their hibernation the lovely forest they reside in has been turned into a living estate. Forwards to that is a fun and funny story about nature vs the humans. The cast and voice acting is delightful, including Bruce Willis, Steve Carell, Garry Shandling, Wanda Sykes, William Shatner, Catherine O'Hara and Avril Lavigne.

I have something to confess: I am in the minority who thinks that Dreamwork's technical wizardry in computer graphics wins over Pixar. For example, with Shrek, Dreamworks were ahead in experimenting with clothing simulations, hair simulations and skin shaders (where as Pixar started later, with Incredibles). I think Dreamworks is farther ahead than Pixar in producing organic, and realistic characters. True, Pixar wins hands on with animation, but with Over the Hedge Dreamworks comes mighty close. (However, NO studio beats Square, the guys behind the Final Fantasy movies, they're the very best. Just look at The Last Flight of Osiris and Final Fantasy Advent Children).

Overall, the movie is full of laughs and the characters are endearing. They act convincingly and show nuance. The moral of the story is also good, regarding the importance of family. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and so the movie gets a full 5/5 from me.

Well done, hopefully more animations like this to come from Dreamworks. I will definitely buy the DVD and I bet the little ones will fully enjoy this movie. Can't wait for the DVD!