Over the Hedge
Directed by Karey Kirkpatrick and Tim JohnsonA scheming raccoon fools a mismatched family of forest creatures into helping him repay a debt of food, by invading the new suburban sprawl that popped up while they were hibernating...and learns a lesson about family himself.
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Over the Hedge Ratings & Reviews
- Manuel FrangisMarch 19, 2025I just watched Over the Hedge again and it is an easy 5 out of 5 stars. I loved this movie as a kid because I would watch it all the time and I never stopped. Even now it still holds up as one of the funniest and most entertaining animated movies out there. The story follows a group of woodland animals who wake up from hibernation to find that their forest has been replaced by a giant suburban neighborhood. With food suddenly harder to find they team up with a fast talking raccoon named RJ who promises to help them gather enough snacks to survive. What follows is a wild hilarious adventure filled with clever humor action and some of the best animated characters ever. RJ voiced by Bruce Willis is a great lead character. He is smooth talking smart and always thinking on his feet. He brings a lot of energy to the movie and his interactions with the rest of the animals are some of the best moments. Verne the cautious turtle is the perfect contrast to RJ always trying to keep the group safe while RJ keeps pushing them to take risks. Their back and forth dynamic adds a lot of comedy and heart to the story. The rest of the animal crew is just as great. Hammy the hyperactive squirrel is easily one of the funniest characters in any animated movie. His energy is nonstop and every time he is on screen he steals the show. The way the movie plays with his speed and personality makes for some of the best moments. Stella the sassy skunk Lou and Penny the porcupines and the possum father and daughter duo all add their own unique personalities making the group feel like a real family. The humor in Over the Hedge is top tier. There are so many clever jokes visual gags and sarcastic one liners that make the movie just as funny now as it was when I was a kid. The way it satirizes suburban life with its over the top portrayal of humans and their obsession with food security and landscaping is absolutely hilarious. The animation still looks great. Even though it was released in 2006 the visuals hold up well with bright colors expressive character designs and smooth action sequences. The suburban setting is used in really creative ways making the animals’ journey feel like an exciting heist movie. The action scenes are well paced and add to the comedy rather than just being chaotic for the sake of it. One of the best things about Over the Hedge is how it balances comedy with heart. There are plenty of goofy moments but there is also a real emotional core to the story. The theme of trust family and working together is handled really well making the movie feel more meaningful than just a fun animated adventure. The pacing is perfect. The movie never slows down or drags and every scene has something fun happening. Whether it is a funny joke a big action moment or a heartfelt character interaction everything in the movie serves a purpose and keeps you engaged the whole way through. Even after all these years Over the Hedge is still one of my favorite animated movies. It is funny creative and full of great characters. Whether you are watching it for the first time or like me have seen it countless times it never gets old. I loved this movie as a kid and I still love it just as much today.
- Eevee SilvaMarch 11, 2025Underated gem of a film. Inventive, funny and subversive, exactly what you would expect from a top-tier Dreamworks movie.
