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Over The Hedge

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Over The Hedge

I'm going to see Over The Hedge today. I'm pretty excited, for the last time I saw it it was looking great - a really sweet little film.

Go and see it next week if you can!

Wheee!
K

(My shot is the one in the trailer where Hammy blasts past RJ and nearly knocks him over).

kevan's picture

This is probably one of the most anticipated features for me that has come along in years. The writing seems BRILLIANT, and the character animation and acting, flawless.

I simply can't wait.

"Don't want to end up a cartoon in a cartoon graveyard" - Paul Simon

Cool!

Post your comments and observations here when you see it, chums!

It looks pretty good to me. I look forward to it!!

Question: You animated that shot?

James :cool:

Here are a few reviews.Variety :(
Familiar, once-fertile soil has been tilled a time too often with "Over the Hedge." Despite a sprinkling of laughs and eye-catching moments, this adaptation of a popular comicstrip reps a middling effort from the house that "Shrek" built, a rather narrowly conceived tale that makes only modest hay from the overworked conflict between wildlife and encroaching humans. Given the B.O. generated by recent mediocrities like "Chicken Little" and "Madagascar," it's dangerous to underestimate what even a so-so computer-animated feature might do, so expect brawny returns and solid family support upon the May 19 opening for this first DreamWorks Animation presentation to be released by Paramount.
...
While the set-up is engaging and sympathetic enough, it's also quite a small conceit, one that feels a bit old-hat. It's populated by bordering-on-cutesy forest dwellers that could easily have co-starred in a Disney movie of the '40s or '50s. True, Uncle Walt didn't have his fur balls emerge from hibernation and announce how badly they had to go to the bathroom, but the differences on the character side are otherwise rather negligible.

Design-wise, the pic falls a bit short of an A grade as well. Backgrounds are sharp, but the animals, especially the chubby ones, resemble puffy dolls and lack the subtlety of facial expression of the best computer-animated fare. Similarly, the two main humans are one-dimensionally characterized to exhibit a single trait: Evil.

Hollywood Reporter :)
DreamWorks' animated film, "Over the Hedge," is a backyard ecological comedy outfitted with some fine, silly slapstick and clever animal characters. This one is aimed more at a younger audience than, say, "Shrek" but has plenty of entertainment value for older family members to ensure substantial boxoffice returns in both domestic and foreign markets.

One gets the sense though that the DreamWorks/PDI 3-D animation team isn't pushing the edges of their computers the way the Pixar gang does. DreamWorks is playing it safe here with a PC comedy that delivers an ecological message while pitching family values to the point that one wants to shout, "Enough already!" The CG animation is routine, but the writers (working from the popular comic strip) and character animators under the supervision of directors Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick do a crackerjack job of filling the screen with lively, ingratiating creatures. The humans are crudely drawn, but the two prominently featured have distinctly evil personalities that make up for their rudimentary design.

Because the family in question here consists of porcupines, possums, a squirrel, skunk and chipmunk, all led by a tortoise, DreamWorks has amusingly messed up the animal kingdom on a par with Walt Disney's old Mickey Mouse shorts.
...
This story sets in motion more than enough comic action sequences to fill the movie's 84 minutes. The final caper mimics and rivals the "Mission: Impossible" films' derring-do to hilarious results.

Character animators beautifully marry their creatures to the voice actors' individual eccentricities. Especially noteworthy are Wanda Sykes' slinky skunk, Carell's hyperactive Hammy, Omid Djalili's Persian housecat, Shandling's thoughtful tortoise and Willis' conniving raccoon with a touch of wistful loneliness coming through his bandit exterior.

Looks good to me. I liked the comic strip, from the few city papers I've seen it in. I'll check it out, but maybe just wait to rent it.

Cool Kevan, I hope it does well. Do you guys and gals at PDI animate by scenes or by character teams? Just wondering.

Aloha,
the Ape

...we must all face a choice, between what is right... and what is easy."

I hadn't seen much of the film before today, but I absolutely loved it. I hope it does really well on general release...

Yup Spoooze, I animated that shot. It's a bit shorter in the trailer, but most of it is there.

Mr. Ape, we work animate by shot, rather than character. This gives everyone a chance to get into each of the individual personalities.

Wooooo!

You guys at Dreamworks and PDI have done a great job Kevan. I eagerly look forward to seeing Over the Hedge this friday!:D

"Animation isn't about how well you draw, but how much to believe." -Glen Keane

Heee. Thanks.

I'm looking forward to seeing the film with the paying public. That's always fun.

Well, I got to see it a couple of weeks ago at our crew screening, but I finally got to bring some of my family yesterday . . . they said they loved it, so hopefully the rest of you will, too. I do like what Ain't It Cool said about it, though . . .

I'm gonna go see it tomorrow :D :D :D

Another question:
Were the same squash and stretch tecniques that were used in Madagascar used in OTH? From what I have seen from the trailer it seems like the animation style is very similar...

James :cool:

Yes, the same methodology was applied to both films. Perhaps Mad was a bit more zany overall, (apart from Hammy, of course), but the squishy-stretchiness suits Hedge just as well, I think.

Enjoy the film!
K

Yes, the same methodology was applied to both films. Perhaps Mad was a bit more zany overall, (apart from Hammy, of course), but the squishy-stretchiness suits Hedge just as well, I think.

Enjoy the film!
K

Okay, thanks!
James :cool:

I was able to see a work-in-progress screening of the film, and thought that it was entertaining. :D

I like the character designs of the animals and they were animated very well. For me, Hammy was hilarious, followed by Stella, then Ozzie. I think they casted the perfect voice for each character and their personalities really come out in the animation.

Sharvonique Studios
www.sharvonique.com

Animated By Sharvonique Blog
http://sharvonique.animationblogspot.com

AWN Showcase Gallery

For once, AWN members seem to have nothing negative to say about Dreamworks Animation.

The reviews are mostly positive while the Da Vinci Code reviews aren't, so maybe Over the Hedge has a chance at the box office.

It looks like Dreamworks got the movie to critics late which isn't great news. If you get a movie to critics early, it has time to build a buzz: in this case, a positive buzz.

Actually Harvey, most movies are seen ahead of time by many critics (in some cases, months ahead), but in my experience nearly all reviews are posted during release week so as to be relevant for the cinema-going public.

You saw a screening in Maryland?

Actually Harvey, most movies are seen ahead of time by many critics (in some cases, months ahead), but in my experience nearly all reviews are posted during release week so as to be relevant for the cinema-going public.

Well, for some reason Over the Hedge only has a few reviews (6 by the reputable papers, according to Rotten Tomatoes; although it only had 3 as of Tuesday), while Da Vinci Code has many reviews (17).

The reviews are mostly positive while the Da Vinci Code reviews aren't, so maybe Over the Hedge has a chance at the box office.

I hope for the sake of animation and my sanity (and other's ;) ) that it has a chance.

I honestly hope DaVinci flops. Even from a secular non-Christian point of view the movie is rubbish.

James :cool:

You saw a screening in Maryland?

Yep! Actually in Washington, DC. I think DreamWorks held screenings in other cities, too.

It was pretty neat. Jeffrey Katzenberg, co-director Tim Johnson, and Wanda Sykes were there. We also saw the "First Flight" short and a clip from "Flushed Away."

Sharvonique Studios
www.sharvonique.com

Animated By Sharvonique Blog
http://sharvonique.animationblogspot.com

AWN Showcase Gallery

That's pretty cool, Sharvonique. I myself just saw a clip of Flushed Away tonight. Nothing fancy, just the public trailer online -- I didn't even know it existed...but looks cute nonetheless. I have trust in the people at the helm.

more reviews

"It feels like I've already seen Over the Hedge four times, after witnessing the parade of commercials for other junk its characters are pimping."
-- Robert Wilonsky, VILLAGE VOICE

B+ "Visually energetic and light on its feet, it's frothy entertainment that has some ideas in its head and a sense of playfulness that turns those ideas into a speedily pleasant 90 minutes."
-- Chris Vognar, DALLAS MORNING NEWS

"Hums along with such well-greased precision, you can almost hear the industrial cogs and wheels whirring in all their viscous complexity. There's such a knowing swagger about the film's comedy, there seems to be no innocence in the mix at all."
-- Desson Thomson, WASHINGTON POST

3.5/4 "A irresistible balance of computer-graphics animation and high wit, one that raises the three-dimensional computerized technique to a delirious new plateau."
-- Jan Stuart, NEWSDAY

B+ "The voice acting is delightful."
-- Lisa Schwarzbaum, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

2/4 "The critters and the humans here resemble metallic, robotic alternate-universe images of animals and people."
-- Michael Phillips, CHICAGO TRIBUNE

2.5/4 "Falls squarely -- and, it must be said, squirrelly -- in the middle between the lackluster Madagascar and the wonderful Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit."
-- Bruce Newman, SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

3.5/5 "The movie delivers on the broad comedy, but the small moments are what really put Over the Hedge over the top."
-- Bill Muller, ARIZONA REPUBLIC

B- "It's energetic, colorful, occasionally clever and brims with top-drawer voice talent."
-- Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION
[B]
2/5[/B] "No doubt the people at DreamWorks who made Over the Hedge would prefer that their film bring to mind animated classics like Disney's Bambi (or, as Hammy suggests, Ice Age), but no such luck."
-- Manohla Dargis, NEW YORK TIMES

2/5 "The frenetic, action-oriented (and fairly violent) set-pieces are well crafted, but without interesting characters it's only sporadically involving."
-- Kevin Crust, LOS ANGELES TIMES

2.5/4 "A nicely crafted charmer."
-- Colin Covert, MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE

I personally can't wait to see Over the Hedge tomorow! :D I also want to see the DaVinci code since I enjoyed the book, but Over the Hedge takes priority.

"Animation isn't about how well you draw, but how much to believe." -Glen Keane

Over the Hedge was wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Excellent job Kevan and the rest of Dreamworks/PDI!

"Animation isn't about how well you draw, but how much to believe." -Glen Keane

weekend box office

1. "The Da Vinci Code," $77 million
2. "Over the Hedge," $37.2 million
3. "Mission: Impossible III," $11 million
4. "Poseidon," $9.2 million
5. "RV," $5.1 million
6. "See No Evil," $4.4 million
7. "Just My Luck," $3.4 million
8. "An American Haunting," $1.7 million
9. "United 93," $1.4 million
10. " Akeelah and the Bee," $1 million

I just watched Over the Hedge today.....well after watching about an hour's worth of stupid commercials anyway.
I thought it was good for a movie I didn't expect much from. Loved the silly jokes, but I thought the ending wasn't that great. I mean it's a children's movie and the whole conflict with the bear and the raccoon wasn't resolved. I mean doesn't that just influence kids into thinking you can get away with destroying someone else's property and not pay them back...oh well I dunno I guess I think too much when I watch a movie...:D
Silly me, anyways I loved the whole look and feel of it.
Great job Kevan and other people!

Originally Posted by ScatteredLogical
I myself just saw a clip of Flushed Away tonight. Nothing fancy, just the public trailer online -- I didn't even know it existed...but looks cute nonetheless.

I'm soooo going to go see that! That and Cars from Pixar. I can't wait for them to be in theaters!!!:D

I saw it Friday with some friends. The story was okay. Not GREAT but not AWFUL either. It had a lot of funny moments.
The animal animation was really good imho. I thought the human animation was a bit... stiff... (no offense to anyone who worked on the humans ;) ) but the animal and effects animation is some of the best I've seen from Dreamworks.

Nice job!

James :cool:

The Code

Hello.

I saw the DaVinci Code...haven't seen OVER THE HEDGE yet....but I will...very soon.

The Da Vinci code was a really terrific movie! The reviews said it was "plodding". I found the pace very good. I hadn't finished the book - my wife has and she said the movie was pretty true to the book.

By the way the numbers for the Code were 2nd alltime for an openning of a movie - over 200 million.

Thanks.

Just saw "Over the Hedge" last night. Very nice film. The artistic direction was wonderful, and the overall direction of the film - brilliant. A couple shots bugged me a bit, but I was more than satified with what I saw. Brilliant character animation on the part of the animals, great, appealing designs, and the voice performances were bang on the money. This film is a HUGE step up from the last couple debocals (Madagascar and Shark Tale). The only downer (in my opinion) was the human characters. I felt that there was not enough attention paid to them, and they threw things off a bit. If they were designed and animated as well as the King and Queen in Shrek... Oh my!

Oh! And long live Shatner!

$10 well spent, as far as I am concerned, and I am the biggest critic for animated features there is. Looking forward to owning it!

Cheers

Oh and "Cars"... I am looking forward to that film as much as I am looking forward to my next root canal.

"Don't want to end up a cartoon in a cartoon graveyard" - Paul Simon

I am glad you liked it, Wade. I hope it does well this weekend!

I agree with wade about the human characters. The cloth simulation looked really good, I'm mostly refering to the psycho-home-owner-association pres-lady, in her jammies and her power suits. But her body didn't move underneath the clothes, kinda like watching a barbie doll act. Other than that....
I LOVED THE MOVIE! and my husband loved it too. Favorite shot... Hammie's eyes dialating, I won't go into it anymore incase people haven't seen it yet, but VERY FUNNY.

Don't do nothing because you can't do everything.

I thought the animation was excellent, all the moves looked good to me. However, the animation is the only thing I liked about the movie. Sorry.

It is a good movie for an adult to seat through with children, but I was on my own.

I saw it Friday with some friends. The story was okay. Not GREAT but not AWFUL either. It had a lot of funny moments.
The animal animation was really good imho. I thought the human animation was a bit... stiff... (no offense to anyone who worked on the humans ;) ) but the animal and effects animation is some of the best I've seen from Dreamworks.

Nice job!

James :cool:

That is a huge step up after Sinbad. GOD THAT WAS AWFUL WRITING! I'm looking forward to OTH. DreamWorks needs a hit badly.

Good ratings too ovr on Rotten Potatoes. :)

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/over_the_hedge/

I enjoyed the movie very much! I plan on getting it on DVD when it is released!

I went to see it today. Definitely more cohesive in terms of something to care about slash plot, and the facial animation was exceptionally entertaining. I went with a relative who's getting the DVD when it comes out just for one of the scenes =)

I really liked the squirel after he is caffinated. Really funny. Yeah, I think this is a movie I'll get on DVD. It'll actually be my first Dreamworks/PDI animated movie I'll buy.

Aloha,
the Ape

...we must all face a choice, between what is right... and what is easy."

*POSSIBLE SPOILER*

Wasn't that just like Fry and the coffee on Futurama? The best part was seeing the red lasers on the way...talk about the principle of exaggeration.