Holly
10-04-2006, 10:20 AM
Animated animals. Haven’t had enough of THEM this year, have we?
So many movies along the same lines have been released lately -- “ Madagascar,” “The Wild,” “Over the Hedge,” “Doogal” -- another one had better really distinguish itself. The latest title in that succession, “Open Season,” does that only partially.
The main difference this time is the factoring-in of major human characters, one being the park ranger voiced by Debra Messing (“Will & Grace”). She has close ties to a bear whose words are supplied by Martin Lawrence (yes, this ranger has to make the leap that the bear talks), and he leaves his comfy surroundings to help a mule deer (voice of Ashton Kutcher, who clearly isn’t lacking for work these days) who’s being chased by a hunter (voice by Gary Sinise) ... thus, the title of the movie.
Other hunters are entering the forest as well, so it’s more than only the deer who’s facing peril. Actor-director Jon Favreau and Scottish comic Billy Connolly also lend vocals to other creatures inhabiting the woodlands, and even if the animation is completely competent, this still feels like territory we have visited all too often in recent times.
Overall, “Open Season” suggests that maybe, just maybe, it’s time for the season on movies of this kind to end for a while. (With apologies to younger viewers who probably can’t get enough of them.)
(Rated PG)
So many movies along the same lines have been released lately -- “ Madagascar,” “The Wild,” “Over the Hedge,” “Doogal” -- another one had better really distinguish itself. The latest title in that succession, “Open Season,” does that only partially.
The main difference this time is the factoring-in of major human characters, one being the park ranger voiced by Debra Messing (“Will & Grace”). She has close ties to a bear whose words are supplied by Martin Lawrence (yes, this ranger has to make the leap that the bear talks), and he leaves his comfy surroundings to help a mule deer (voice of Ashton Kutcher, who clearly isn’t lacking for work these days) who’s being chased by a hunter (voice by Gary Sinise) ... thus, the title of the movie.
Other hunters are entering the forest as well, so it’s more than only the deer who’s facing peril. Actor-director Jon Favreau and Scottish comic Billy Connolly also lend vocals to other creatures inhabiting the woodlands, and even if the animation is completely competent, this still feels like territory we have visited all too often in recent times.
Overall, “Open Season” suggests that maybe, just maybe, it’s time for the season on movies of this kind to end for a while. (With apologies to younger viewers who probably can’t get enough of them.)
(Rated PG)