Ster-Kinekor
Rating: ****
Film: Open Season is a fun animated romp sure to please the pre-teen jet-set. Gross-out humour and slap-stick set pieces make this a guilty pleasure for anyone over 12.
It tells the story of Boog (Martin Lawrence), a full-grown grizzly bear coddled by maternal park ranger, Beth (Debra Messing). He is sent back to the wild three days before hunting season opens after he and hyperactive mule-deer Elliot (Ashton Kutcher) get into trouble. With the help of Elliot and a host of insane forest locals, he has to out-smart nasty hunter, Shaw (Gary Sinise).
The animation is crisply rendered and a joy to behold. Lawrence's homeboy shtick doesn't quite translate to the animated form. He's just plain annoying. Ashton Kutcher doesn't do too bad a job considering his character is a rehash of Donkey from Shrek.
Indeed, the whole film is shamelessly derivative.
Elements of Madagascar and Over the Hedge are thrown around willy-nilly. Still, it's a fun way to while away an hour-and-a-half with the kids.
Features:
Short films, featurettes, storyboards and interactive games.