“Over the Hedge” is the latest in a series of animated animal flicks to hit theaters and it’s one families are sure to enjoy together.

It’s the beginning of spring and it’s almost time for the animals to wake up from their long winter hibernation. While scavenging for food, R.J. the raccoon spots the cave of a bear he knows that always has a plenitude of food on hand. R.J. wakes the bear while stealing all the bear’s food and subsequently sends it all rolling down the mountainside- lost forever. The bear malevolently informs R.J. that he has one week to get his food replaced or else.

Meanwhile Verne the turtle and a troop of woodland friends come out of their winter home to begin gathering food for the next winter. To their surprise, however, a giant green wall, which they name Steve, has been erected while they slept. R.J. arrives to their neighborhood just as they are inspecting Steve and informs them that it is called a hedge. R.J. realizes that this hardworking pack of friends may just be his only chance of replacing the bear’s food. Verne doesn’t have a good feeling about R.J.’s plan to go over the hedge, but R.J. convinces the rest of the group of the advantages of his plan.

What happens when a group of critters enter into suburbia? And will they be able to escape the wrath of the president of the homeowner’s association before they are hauled off by the exterminator?

“Over the Hedge” comes from the creators of “Shrek” and “Madagascar.” It’s fun and filled with pop culture references that will appeal to the adults in the crowd while still entertaining the kids. There were a few occasions during the film where the adults were laughing at some reference that kids wouldn’t necessarily get, but they were done in such a way that the kids were laughing right along with their parents.

The movie features a great cast of voice talent including Bruce Willis, Steven Carrell, Garry Shandling, Wanda Sykes, William Shatner and Avril Lavigne. Like “Madagascar,” “Over the Hedge” features an array of animals that lend themselves to sticky circumstances and situational humor. One of the most entertaining moments in the film comes when R.J. explains to the other woodland animals about the human world. Everything revolves around food, R.J. informs them. From the telephones, which are used to summon food, to the front doors, the portal through which food is delivered, to the dining tables, otherwise known as the food alter, humans live for food (not too far from the truth, huh?). In their quest to store enough food for winter, the animals (and therefore the kiddies in the audience) learn about friendship, honesty and how to shut down a series of animal traps found in any neighbor’s back yard.

Reminiscent of early CGI films like “Toy Story,” “Over the Hedge is rated PG and is one of the best new family films to hit theaters this year.

*** 1/2

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