Open Season Review
by Jerry at the Movies (Faust668 AT msn DOT com)March 2nd, 2007
OPEN SEASON (2006)
Reviewed by Jerry Saravia
RATING: Three stars
I hate to say it but as theoretically unoriginal as "Open Season" is, it is a far more entertaining movie than the glum "Cars." Maybe I respond better to animated animals in the wilderness than grinning cars in the middle of the desert.
A lovable grizzly bear named Boog (voiced by Martin Lawrence) is living in the garage of his domesticated home. His owner is a ranger named Beth (voiced by Debra Messing), who loves him dearly and gives him treats. She also hosts a show in town with her giant furry friend as the sideshow attraction. Unfortunately, chaos ensue when Boog is lured from his home by an overly caffeinated deer named Elliot (voiced by Ashton Kutcher), whom Boog saved from an evil hunter (Gary Sinise), and goes into town gobbling food from a convenience store. It is time for Beth to give up Boog, which she reluctantly does. Boog and Elliot are sent to the woods, far from home. Will Boog ever get back to his domesticated home? Or will he prefer the woods where he, spoiler alert as if you need one, clearly belongs?
Again, nothing new about "Open Season." You can anticipate its every move. The relationship between Boog and Elliot will remind you of Shrek's relationship with the donkey, or anything in "Over the Hedge." Still, despite such obvious similarities, "Open Season" is a charming film that will delight children and adults. Its pleasures are small and yet so diverting. The animals are cute enough without being overly cutesy (especially Billy Connolly as the Scottish leader of the nut- throwing squirrels or the modest porcupine who wants a friend, or the Puerto-Rican skunks). The animation is dazzling, including the waterfalls and the tactile trees, grass - it is so realistic that you feel you are there with all those furry creatures.
"Open Season" is a pleasant, serene diversion with a pleasant enough soundtrack (including some poetic songs by Paul Westerberg). The voices do the characters justice (this is the first movie with Martin Lawrence I've actually enjoyed) and the characters are never grating. There are none of those pop-culture references that frequently litter your average animated film, and no pop songs that will irritate your eardrums. In short, at a breezy 86 minutes, "Open Season" is a breath of fresh air.
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