HEDGE

“Arrrgh! Not again! Those things are so lifelike! Curse you, plastic moldsmen.”

     While it was Pixar, that set the bar for animated films, it was DreamWorks that gave it a face. Yes, Pixar has had more computer generated films (CGI) films than DreamWorks and yes, new Pixar movies are heralded more than DreamWorks', but when you ask people who their favorite character in any CGI film is; I bet you the majority will say Shrek.
     The misunderstood green ogre is arguably the most profitable animated character of the last decade. This is a whole new style of entertainment. While Mickey Mouse is the say all, be all of traditional animation, there is a new king on the throne for the computer variety. “Shrek” ushered in brand new era in Cineplexes. DreamWorks took what made Disney/Pixar's “Toy Story” a success and upped it a notch. Although despite “Shrek's” success, Pixar has seemingly remained more profitable than its rival. At least for now.
     DreamWorks's plan is to release two CGI animated movies a year, Pixar remains churning out one. The first one of the year from DW is “Over The Hedge.” The movie packs an amazing vocal cast and fresh story. The film is based on the popular syndicated comic strip of the same name written and drawn by Michael Fry and T. Lewis. The screen adaptation tells the story of a raccoon named RJ (voiced by Bruce Wills) and a turtle named Verne (voiced by Gary Shandling) who along with their woodland friends must deal with the changing of the times.
     Rounding out the vocal cast is a top array of who's who in Hollywood. William Shatner, Wanda Sykes and Thomas Hayden Church are only a few of the many lending their voices to this batch of characters. The opening quote comes from Church's character an exterminator, whose sent after our forest friends. Although RJ's scheming keeps the “Verminator” on his toes.
     In fact, each creature's personality really comes alive through the work of its portrayer. To audiences, it may feel at times like the characters not only look lifelike (thanks to amazing animation advancements), but their situations are also lifelike as well. It's an effect always needed, but not always seen in some of today's films, of both the animated and live action varieties.
     Although the one character that stands out above the rest (even at time upstaging the two leads) is Hammie. Hammie is a hyper-active squirrel, who very well could have has Starbucks in his veins, instead of blood. Bringing this kid-friendly character to life is the very talented Steve Carrell. Carrell has actually gone from a dependable supporting actor to a leading man seemingly overnight. His Hollywood status has rose considerably from the time he started work on this film to now upon its release.
     It's these innovative character meshed with a workable plot that gives the film its likeability factor. After awaking from hibernation, the very cautious Verne and his friends find their home being taken over by suburbia. Afraid of what they don't understand, they end up turning to new acquaintance RJ. RJ, is a con-artist who uses his new “friends” to save himself from a previous failed scam. But as times goes on RJ, begins to realize how important having friends can be and his priorities begin to change.
    While it isn't quite “Shrek,” I do expect the movie be perceived very well, as it is targeting the same audience. Between this and last summer's “Madagascar,” DreamWorks is slowing building an arsenal it can work with. It is probably a safe bet to expect sequels to be on the way from both franchises.
     Competition drives everybody, whether they like it or not. The competition between DreamWorks and Pixar is in its early stages, but it is one where it may be the audiences who end up the ultimate winners. With the box office not doing as well as in recent years, the one constant is that animated movies continue to be top draws. Lucky for us, there seems to be a lot of them on the horizon.