Family Corner #1: “Over the Hedge”

Almost two decades ago, DreamWorks released one of my favorite childhood movies. Let me introduce you to Over the Hedge, a story made for the whole family to enjoy.

Summary

The film starts in a deserted picnic area. RJ, a hungry raccoon, tries to steal a pile of food from Vincent, a bear who is hibernating.

Unfortunately, the noise wakes Vincent. While he confronts RJ, an accident happens, and all the food gets destroyed. To avoid getting eaten by the furious bear, RJ promises to replace all the lost items before the full moon, which is only a week away.

The next morning, a family of woodland animals wakes up from hibernation, only to realize that most of the forest they called home has been turned into an urban area. Their habitat has been limited by a giant hedge, which separates them from the humans. The problem is that all the trees that were their source of food are on the other side.

RJ happens to overhear the family’s troubles, and introduces himself, pretending to offer help. He assures them that the only way to get more and better food is to steal from the humans, and he eventually convinces them to follow him. Of course, his only intention is to use them to collect the missing food in time and then disappear with it. The only one who sees that RJ has other intentions is Verne, a nervous turtle that was the family’s leader before the raccoon’s arrival.

The subsequent disappearances of various items, and the disturbances caused by the animals, secure a rivalry between them and the humans. Particularly with Gladys Sharp, the neighborhood Home Owners Association President, who hires the most vicious exterminator available to get rid of the plague.

As the stakes get higher, and the bond with his newly founded friends grows, RJ begins to question for the first time his selfish nature. Maybe he wants to be part of a family after all.

Why Should You Give it a Chance?

Over the Hedge is a film that emphasizes the importance of family bonds, especially in difficult times. This is important because it is something that most modern films don’t offer anymore.

Through the eyes of RJ, we meet a dysfunctional family unit, composed of different species: aside from Verne, we have Hammy, a hyperactive squirrel; Stella, a grumpy stripped skunk; Lou and Penny, a porcupine couple trying to parent their young and naughty triplets; and Ozzie, a possum that is struggling to communicate with his teenage daughter Heather. These characters are voiced by well-known actors, such as Bruce Willis, Steve Carell, and Catherine O’Hara.

Even though our protagonist has always been, in his own words, “a family of one”, spending more time with his new friends starts to change his mind. The woodlands’ family is not perfect, but they are people he can rely on, people of unwavering loyalty, who would have his back no matter what.

The comedy aspect is on point. It has humor that, even though kid-friendly, also appeals to adults. I watched Over the Hedge plenty of times as a child (I even had the PlayStation 2 video game), and revisiting it recently has been a fun experience.

The soundtrack, composed by Rupert Gregson-Williams, also contains three original songs, and a cover by Ben Folds that are amazing.

This is the perfect alternative to watch with young kids, or enjoy on your own as a nostalgic adult.