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"I Feel Like I'm In
The Middle Of A Gay
Cowboy Movie" |
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Written and Directed by
Cory Edwards, Todd
Edwards
Starring Anne Hathaway,
Glenn Close, Jim Belushi,
Patrick Warburton
Distributed by Weinstein
Co. -
2006 - 80mins - Rated PG |
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Richard Propes'
Review
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C+ |
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Trouble In The Hood |
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"Hoodwinked" is the
first full-length feature animation film from Weinstein Co., the
post-Miramax creation by the Weinstein brothers. A Rashomon-style
story in which we get several different takes on the the tale of "Red
Riding Hood," "Hoodwinked" is designed to lean more towards the Rankin
and Bass animation style than the contemporary techno-wizardry of
Pixar.
Admittedly, I am one of those folks whose grown weary of the
technological warfare that seems to have invaded animated films and I
do long for the days of simple animation and an actual storyline.
Films such as "Madagascar," "Robots" and many other recent animated
films have appeared as not much more than techno-fluff that serves as
beautiful eye-candy without any substance.
Unfortunately, "Hoodwinked", despite its relatively simple animation
style, offers little beyond the very basics and is unlikely to please
even the most diehard Rankin and Bass fans.
The film starts at the end of the story and moves its way backwards,
as we're treated to the initial confrontation between sassy Red (Anne
Hathaway), the not-so-well disguised Wolf (Patrick Warburton), an
extreme-sport loving Granny (Glenn Close), and the dimbulb Woodsman
(Jim Belushi). After the traditional "ending," the screen goes black
and we enter a room where detectives are sorting out the clues,
suspects are being interviewed and "Red Riding Hood" Rashomon style
unfolds.
Director Cory Edwards should be given credit for offering a rarity
these days...an animated film with a story. Unfortunately,
"Hoodwinked" offers one of the most basic of children's stories and
offers nothing additional in terms of plot, story, animation, or
intrigue to hold the attention of kids or adults. Likewise, while the
animation style is simple, Edwards and his team still manage to build
in distraction through the addition of songs, most of which will
please only the smallest of children.
The cast does a fine job, but it's a rather sad state of affairs when
the supporting cast steals most of the spotlight. Particularly strong
are Todd Edwards (who also shares a co-directing credit with his
brother), as a hyperactive squirrel named "Twitchy", Andy Dick as a
rather creepy bunny, and Benjy Gaither as a scene-stealing singing
goat.
"Hoodwinked" isn't really a bad film at all. It simply offers nothing
new to the genre, and is far too generic to win much market-share in a
crowded movie season. Released for one week late in 2005 to qualify
for Oscar season, a nomination would be much more a testimony to the
Weinstein purchasing power than to the film's quality.
Best suited to families with young children and those who wish to
remember the simpler days of animation, "Hoodwinked" is a full-length
animated feature that takes a simple story and simplifies it even
further. The end result is a film destined to have a much longer life
on DVD than in the theatre.
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© Written by Richard Propes |
TC Candler's Comment
n/a
Jacob
Hall's Comment
n/a
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