Talented voices lift 'Over the Hedge'

When it comes to animated animals, forestry division, I'm still stuck on "Bambi."

However, "Over the Hedge," DreamWorks' new 3-D animated feature, has its pleasures. It's energetic, colorful, occasionally clever and brims with top-drawer voice talent. And given such recent critter-themed monstrosities as "Madagascar" and "Chicken Little," it could've been a lot worse.

DreamWorks SKG 'Over the Hedge' B- The verdict: A family-pleaser featuring some great voice talent. Directors: Tim Johnson, Karey Kirkpatrick Starring: Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling, Steve Carell, William Shatner, Avril Lavigne Run time: 84 minutes Release date: May 19, 2006 Rating: PG for some rude humor and mild comic action. See showtimes From the funny pages... The Austin American-Statesman interviews the Texas cartoonist who started it all. On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime Rate 'Over the Hedge'   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

Winter's over and the woods are waking up. Along with the birds and the bees, there's Verne (Garry Shandling), a cautious, level-headed turtle. And Stella (Wanda Sykes), a spiky skunk. And Hammy (Steve Carell), a hyper-hyperactive squirrel. And Ozzie (William Shatner), an overly dramatic possum who likes to impress his decidedly unimpressed teenage daughter (pop star Avril Lavigne) with his talent for playing dead. And a bustling brood of porcupines, headed by parents Lou and Penny (Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara, from SCTV and Christopher Guest movies).

But this spring, they've got a big surprise waiting for them — a subdivision smack in the middle of their former forest.

They're bewildered and a little appalled. How do you find nuts and berries in a backyard swing set? But for wascally waccoon RJ (Bruce Willis), the human intrusion is a godsend. After being caught red-pawed trying to make off with Vincent the Bear's (Nick Nolte) food supply, he's got to replace it. Pronto. Or he'll be the new food supply.

RJ knows what the others don't. That suburbia is one giant food court, overflowing with crammed garbage cans, messy barbecue pits and "cookies so valuable they're hand-delivered by uniformed couriers" (read, Girl Scouts). With the help of Verne and the gang, RJ should have Vincent's larder full in no time. They resist at first, but once they've tasted the forbidden fruit of a nacho cheese chip, there's no stopping them.

"Over the Hedge" is more middling than masterpiece, more "Antz" than "Monsters, Inc." A bit of that "Shrek" smugness has crept in (no wonder, they're made by the same company). Meaning, the movie's a little too pleased with its smart-aleck, adults-only jokes and insider movie references. Still, for the most part, it's eminently kid-friendly with some important lessons to impart, plenty of broad slapstick and the expected bodily fluids gags.

And the line readings are wonderful. You need to hear it for yourself when Stella the skunk threatens a potential target with, "I'm gonna gas you so hard your grandchildren will stink!"