Over the Hedge

Underwhelming is the word for Tim Johnson's Over the Hedge, a computer-animated kiddie flick based on a comic strip. Here, shifty raccoon RJ (Bruce Willis) persuades a bevy of gullible critters—a sober turtle, a hyperactive squirrel, a spunky skunk, a cautious possum, and two well-meaning porcupines—to collect goodies from a housing development that has sprouted up adjacent to their forest. What RJ neglects to mention is that the grub is intended for a grumpy bear whose stash RJ accidentally destroyed and now must replace. Of course, the animals' activities attract the horrified attention of the head of the homeowners association, who calls in a loud-mouthed exterminator to put an end to the infestation, leading to a big finale. Yes, there's more than a faint whiff of familiarity to all of this, but Over the Hedge does boast some amusing moments, as well as a topnotch voice cast (including Garry Shandling, Steve Carell, Wanda Sykes, and William Shatner) and solid—if not particularly distinctive—animation. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD extras include an audio commentary (by directors Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick, and producer Bonnie Arnold), a 16-minute “Meet the Cast” featurette, a “Behind the Hedge” behind-the-scenes featurette (12 min.), “Learn to Draw Hammy” (11 min.), “The Tech of Over the Hedge” production featurette (6 min.), the four-minute short “Hammy's Boomerang Adventure,” “Critter 411” animal facts (4 min.), a “Verm-Tech Infomercial” (3 min.), character, storyboard and set design galleries, DVD-ROM games (including “Backyard Obstacle Course” and “Acorn Toss”), and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a so-so animated film.] (F. Swietek)