“Over the Hedge” is an animated comedy film released in 2006. It was produced by DreamWorks Animation and directed by Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick. The movie is based on the United Media comic strip of the same name by Michael Fry and T. Lewis.
The story revolves around a group of woodland animals whose lives are disrupted when a housing development encroaches on their forest home. The main character, a mischievous raccoon named RJ, comes across these animals who have just woken up from hibernation and are struggling to find food. RJ has accidentally destroyed the stash of food belonging to a bear named Vincent and now has to replace it. He sees an opportunity in the naive and food-starved animals and decides to use them to gather food from the suburban development that has popped up while they were hibernating.
As the animals start to explore this new world, they encounter various challenges and humorous situations. The film explores themes of friendship, trust, and the impact of human encroachment on wildlife. It’s known for its humor, as well as its commentary on consumerism and the environment.
The voice cast includes Bruce Willis as RJ, Garry Shandling as Verne (a cautious tortoise), Steve Carell as Hammy (a hyperactive squirrel), Wanda Sykes as Stella (a skunk), William Shatner as Ozzie (a possum), and Nick Nolte as Vincent (the bear). The movie was well-received for its animation, voice acting, and witty script, making it a hit with both children and adults.
Movies like “Over the Hedge”
If you enjoyed “Over the Hedge,” there are several other animated movies with similar themes, humor, and appeal that you might also like:
- “Madagascar” (2005): This film follows a group of animals from the Central Park Zoo who find themselves stranded on the island of Madagascar. Like “Over the Hedge,” it combines humor with a story about animals confronting the human world.
- “Ice Age” (2002): A prehistoric road-trip adventure involving a group of mismatched animals. The movie, like “Over the Hedge,” is about different animal species coming together and forming unexpected friendships.
- “Open Season” (2006): It tells the story of a domesticated grizzly bear and a one-antlered deer who find themselves in the wild. The theme of adapting to a new environment and the comedic elements are similar to “Over the Hedge.”
- “Hoodwinked!” (2005): An animated retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood story, presented as a police investigation. It shares the quirky humor and animal characters found in “Over the Hedge.”
- “Ratatouille” (2007): This Pixar film is about a rat with culinary dreams who forms an unusual alliance with a young kitchen worker. Its themes of friendship and pursuing one’s passion resonate with the themes in “Over the Hedge.”
- “Rio” (2011): Centering on a domesticated macaw who travels from Minnesota to Rio de Janeiro, this movie, like “Over the Hedge,” deals with themes of adventure, new environments, and finding oneself.
- “The Secret Life of Pets” (2016): It explores the adventures of household pets in the big city when their owners are away, similar in spirit to the animal adventures in “Over the Hedge.”
Each of these movies combines elements of humor, adventure, and the exploration of themes related to nature, friendship, and adaptation to new environments, making them enjoyable for audiences who appreciated “Over the Hedge.”
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