Dreamworks Animation has had a rocky path over the years. In recent years, I believe that they have dropped from quality as of late. With the exemption to "How To Train Your Dragon" and "Captain Underpaints", every other film since "The Croods" have been pretty mediocre. With a completely unnecessary "Trolls" sequel coming in the following weeks, it's time I look at perhaps the most underrated films that should've got a sequel in the first place. Based on the comic strip by Micheal Fry, "Over the Hedge" is about a raccoon named RJ who cons a group of animals to forge a mountain of food to avoid himself getting eaten by a bear, while he begins to bond with the others and have a rivalry with Verne, the leader of the group who isn't keen on stealing human food due to the potential consequences. This film does of course incorporate the lier reveal plot thread, which not everyone is a fan of, but I believe that it's handled well and the resolution is quick for the others to forgive RJ in a believable way. It should also be said that this is no satire with plenty of adult humour and commentary, outside of RJ's speech about how food revolves around human life. This is very much a kid's film that is effective by how cartoony and over-the-top it gets such as the multiple explosions used in the film. However, unlike most animated films today where the viewer is expected to see some over-the-top moments, this film starts off standard in a grounded world where, as the story progresses, the action or humour gets more exaggerated and zany that it keeps surprising the viewer by how far the film goes. It reminds me a lot like "Loony Tunes" in that sense and energy. Even if it's not the funniest film that Dreamworks has written, it just has so much charm, heart and personality to it that makes it clear that the filmmakers actually cared about making an above average feature, unlike Illumination' films.
For me, the strongest element to the film is the characters, as I believe that it's hard for people to say that they are unlikeable or bad. Sure, some are archetypes, but they are enjoyable to watch regardless. RJ is a cliched, but likeable protagonist with his charm and smarts and his genuine realization for how much he has bonded with the group. Verne is also fun to watch for his slapstick moments and his clashing personality with RJ, sort of like a Woody/Buzz dynamic in the first "Toy Story". Hammy is the hyperactive yet childish character of the group who has his moments to shine with the OG Quicksilver moment. As for the side characters, the porcupines are a typical, caring family of two parents and three boys, Stella, the skunk who ain't ashamed of being a skunk, the possums, consisting of a dramatic, overprotective father and a teenage daughter, and Tiger, a Persian cat who falls in love with Stella. As for the villains, there's Vincent, the bear who is threatening to eat RJ if he didn't get him his food, Gladys Sharp, an arrogant woman who despises woodland animals, and Dwayne LaFontant, an exterminator who is hired by Sharp to take care of her vermin problem. Not only are all of these characters enjoyable in their own way, but the celebrities they hired to voice act for these roles are so spot-on that it just sounds like the character themselves speaking rather than the celebrity, with the exception of Wanda Sykes as her voice is too distinct to be unrecognizable. Anyone can have a favourite character of their own, whether it's one of the main characters or even one of the side characters or villains.
After 14 years, the animation has aged rather decently. I will address my issues of the animation first. The background of the suburbs can look really lifeless and bland at times, and some facial animation in certain scenes look a bit stiff and awkward. On the side note, while many of the humans look fine, the kids look like they came out off of the movie, "Monster House", as they look less rendered and almost clay-like. Outside of these issues, the animation is pretty good from the textures, fur, the designs of the animals, and how it keeps up with the speed and varied elements of the various action sequences. The food also just looks so good. There's even small details that I find impressive such as when we first see Dwayne's truck driving up the road, there's even a mirage effect on the asphalt. I think the animation is more creative and even looks better than some recent animation films that get released in theatres such as "The Nut Job" or even some modern Illumination or Dreamworks films as of late. Then, we got the music. The original score by Rupert Gregson-Williams is decent and fits with the lighthearted nature of the film, but it's the songs by Ben Folds that makes the soundtrack standout. "Heist", "Still", and a reversion of "Rockin' in the Suburbs" are just great to listen to by themselves and are well integrated in the film. Sure, much like Phil Collin's songs in "Tarzan", one can say that the songs are distracting or even too cheesy to handle, but I believe that it helps make the film more charming and establish the fun-loving identity that the film is going for.
"Over The Hedge" is by no means the best of the Dreamworks catalogue, but it is honestly close. Despite some aged aspects of the animation and the more family-centric tone compared to the studio's bolder and better works, that's honestly the only flaws the film has. The story is familiar and fun, the tone is perfectly unexpected, over-the-top, cartoony mayhem, the slapstick is spot-on with some decent lines to boot, all of the characters are likeable and enjoyable, the animation overall holds up with some care and fantastic detail, and the songs by Ben Folds are ear-wormy and wholesome. If you want an animated film with complex themes, character development, and adult references, this is not it and it shouldn't be compared to be like that. The film is simply aiming to make you smile by its charm, personality, zaniness, and heart constructed by the filmmakers and animators, much like how RJ conned his way to get Verne's group on his side.
Verdict: 8/10. A great, nostalgic trip. Watch if you want to have a trip of the senses of taste (mouth-watering animated food), sight (the film itself), and hearing (Ben Folds's catchy songs)
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