Can one overdose on the cuteness factor? If so then that’s what would have happened to me tonight after going to see Over the Hedge. Not that I’m complaining of course. Over the Hedge is the latest computer animated tale to hit the big screen (and it is only the beginning of what we can expect over the summer) and as per the more recent animations that have come before it, it tries to make a statement on today’s world of greed, materialism (love the reference to the Universal Remote Control) and destruction of our natural environment wrapped up in the plight of some deadly adorable animals.

RJ the Raccoon, voiced by Bruce Willis, finds himself in big trouble when he is caught trying to steal a big scary, and previously hibernating, bear’s food stash. He has one week to replace it or be eaten. Cut to a mish mash group of animals themselves just coming out of hibernation – a turtle, a squirrel, a skunk, a family of porcupines and a wierd pair of looking possums – who don’t quite understand what exactly is the suburbia that has sprung up around them in the three months they’ve been sleeping. The first thing they’re confronted with is Steve – the hedge. Hilarious. RJ cons the group into gathering the food he needs for him but soon finds himself regretting his trickery. In the midst of this you have the humans – mainly in the form of the homeowners association president and The Verminator – who provide the danger element.

It is impossible to capture just how cute the movie was. It was also very very funny with some very clever lines and I think that is where the strength of the movie lies. There is lots of slapstick and also some big action scenes and interesting use of “the props” around so the movie moves at a pretty good pace. If there was a fault I would say that the middle of the movie had a bit of a lull with little jokes and so so action on screen.

Overall not a bad little production with plenty of laughs and action to keep young and old entertained.