'Over the Hedge' comes from Dreamworks Animation, the group who brought us 'Shrek' and 'Madagasgar' [which we reviewed last summer]. 'Hedge' tells the story of a group of North American animals who wake up from winter hibernation to discover that they're surrounded on all sides by suburbia - in the form of a giant wall of bushes - or the hedge.

The animals hibernating together and voiced by known stars are, a turtle [Gary Shandling], a porcupine [Eugene Levy], his wife [Catherine O'Hara], an opossum [William Shatner], his daughter [pop singer Avril Lavigne], a skunk [Wanda Sykes] and a hyper-active squirrel [Steve Carell].

Enter RJ, a rascal of a raccoon [Bruce Willis], whose sole purpose is to steal the assistance of these 'foragers' to collect food and supplies in hopes of settling a bet with a grumpy old grizzly bear, Vincent [Nick Nolte].

After a bit of convincing from RJ, off the other animals go - over the hedge - where they encounter suburbia in all its splendor. Plastic lawn animals, swimming pools, SUVs, domestic house cats, humans, and most importantly, food.

After breaking open a package of nacho cheese Doritos, RJ gives the other animals a great speech about human processed food.

Humans have food ordering devices [a phone], food delivery systems [pizza truck], and food disposal receptacles [trash cans]. Humans can get as much food as they want, as often as they want.

'Over the Hedge' looks great. The colors are magnificent, the animation is smooth and beautifully done, and scenes of the forest, the actual hedge and the scenes of suburbia are just fantastic looking.

Bruce Willis does a great job voicing RJ the raccoon, who has that smug, yet endearing quality, plus a cute-as-heck face, you find yourself believing his line of bunk right along with the other animals. All the characters are cute as all get out. The domestic persian cat that Stella the skunk meets is especially funny, speaking in a [what else?] Persian accent.

The human characters have come a long way since the days of 'Toy Story.' The head of the Homeowner's Association [Allison Janey] is really over the top and funny.

There are also a few terrific action sequences - one in which a goofy domestic dog [who only smiles and repeats 'play-play-play'] chases relentlessly after RJ, catching his leash on bushes and a propane tank, taking us on a somersaulting ride that crashes through backyard fences and ends in a huge, atom bomb-like explosion.

Crazy stuff. And well done.

It's something the directors and writers could do more of. In several places, the movie felt a bit over-written -- dialogue that might take two lines, takes six. And for me, the animals went over the hedge a few too many times.

Original music is by Ben Folds, who I'm not familiar with, and it has a nice upbeat pop sound that let's us not listen to another remake of 'Love Shack,' 'Let's Groove Tonight' or 'Walkin' on Sunshine.' And while none of the characters sings a song, the tunes by Folds work nicely over the top of the action.

I liked 'Over the Hedge,' but I didn't love it. Frankly, I'm waiting for the 'next big thing' with computer animation.

The anthropomorphism of toys, monsters, fish, bugs, donkeys, and soon to be cars, has begun to run its course. It's time for something new Something not so self-aware and smug. 'Shrek' seems to have completely turned the tide on computer animated movies - everything has to be a smart-alecky comedy.

So, here's hoping for next big thing. Whatever it is, could we give the characters some new eyes?

'Over the Hedge' was very good. I liked the animtion -- any movie with animals has pretty much got me. My favorite was RJ the mischeivous [and hungry] raccoon, played by Bruce Willis. I also liked Hammy the Squirrel although when I first saw the previews, I thought he was a hamster. The whole movie was great, with good laughs.

I'm not a big fan of animated features -- even the really good ones like 'Beauty and the Beast.' This one I found to be very well done, cute, with a clever story that was really fun. It held my interest from start to finish. To the parents taking youngsters to see this, I think you'll enjoy it.

Nice looking animation, cute enough characters, fairly decent story, but in some ways it all felt we'd been there before. It was good, but not great.