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The San Diego Union-Tribune

Rated G

Local kids tell us what they think about what's out there

May 20, 2006

At the movies

'Over the Hedge'

From the creators of “Shrek” and “Madagascar” comes this animated comedy driven by animals. Rated PG for some rude humor, (including a squirrel who can burp his ABC's), “Over the Hedge” opened yesterday in theaters nationwide. Check your local theater for showtimes and ticket prices.


Review: Ever wonder what things seem like from an animal's point of view? In “Over the Hedge,” a raccoon named RJ (voiced by Bruce Willis) has to replace food that belonged to a bear named Vincent (Nick Nolte). Vincent gives him exactly a week to do so, otherwise RJ is history. RJ then meets a group of animals who have just awakened from hibernation. This group includes a family of porcupines, a turtle, a skunk, possums and a squirrel.

Soon they notice a large hedge that has been planted while they were hibernating. This hedge separates two very different worlds: the suburbs, where all the people live, and the forest, which is home to the animals.

RJ decides that the animals will be helpful to him, so he says he can assist them in finding food more quickly. Throughout the movie, he uses them to get the food and items he needs. RJ shows them around. He explains the ways of the people to them and about how they have so much food. RJ tricks Hammy (Steve Carell) the squirrel into scaring the Girl Scouts so they can get the cookies and the red wagon. He also has one of the possums play dead so they can take the cooler off of the top of a car. The animals find different ways to get food.

The problems begin when Gladys (Allison Janney), the lady who lives right across the street from the hedge, calls the exterminator to get rid of the animals once and for all. Next the animals make RJ feel like family, and he starts feeling guilty. Verne (Garry Shandling) the tortoise suspects him of something and decides to take the food back to where it belongs. Will RJ make the right decision or will he just leave with what the others have worked hard for?

I liked how this movie had very important themes. These included: to not just think of your wants; and most importantly, you can have everything but be alone, and therefore have nothing. This movie shows how family is important. I enjoyed how the characters each had their own personalities. For an example, Verne is cautious and the only one who knew there is another side to RJ. Stella (Wanda Sykes) the skunk is bold, and she makes the movie more humorous.

“Over the Hedge” also has many familiar celebrities voicing the characters, such as Bruce Willis, William Shatner, Avril Lavigne and Eugene Levy. It was also hilarious how RJ described the way things are in our society today. This movie entertained me and is an amusing comedy that the whole family can watch.


Why settle for a 3-D movie when you can go 4-D?

Legoland California premieres its new movie, “Spellbreaker,” this month. The movie is free with admission to Legoland.

Inspired by Lego products, the 13-minute film tells the heroic tale of a gallant blacksmith who unknowingly aids a princess on a country road and is commissioned to help save the kingdom from an evil wizard.

For showtimes, park admission pricing and other information, visit


Review: Some of the best theaters come with state-of-the-art surround-sound systems. They have the highest quality pictures money can buy. But none of them can compare to the 4-D experience you will have when you go watch “Spellbreaker” at Legoland.

“Spellbreaker” is a unique movie that is different from most others. First of all, there is no real language spoken. There are two reasons for this. One is so the movie can be played all around the world so anybody who watches can interpret it for themselves. And the other reason is so viewers can imagine the story line in their own way.

Also, the movie is a 4-D movie. This means that it has all the requirements of a 3-D movie but with a little extra. When you see somebody get splashed with water, you can feel the water hit you as well. When it is snowing in the movie, actual particles fall from the ceiling, so it is like you are actually there with them. These add-ons create a great feeling when watching the movie, something every moviegoer should experience.

The story line is pretty basic: Clever hero saves distressed princess. But it is not really the story that captivated me; it was the way it was presented. All of the characters were drawn as little Lego people that had the ability to move and do other things like normal people.

The 3-D visual affects were probably my favorite. At the beginning, my eyes ached from trying to get focused, but once they did, everything felt so real, and the image quality was excellent. The great thing about 3-D is that things feel like they are actually right up to your face. Some of the arrows fly past you. Little Lego Ghosts come right to your face. And it is hard to tell the difference from the confetti in the movie to the confetti actually being dropped for the 4-D effect.

This movie was a great experience to watch. It should be great for the little ones, too, but some of the images might scare them a bit. There are many flashing lights and some loud sounds, but most of you will be able to handle it. Adults would have plenty of fun watching this with their kids, and some teens would even like it as well. I had a great time watching it, and for a movie that is less than 20 minutes long, what do you have to lose?

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