Animated movie reviews

Over the Hedge is really funny and shows how initial utilitarian purposes can turn into true friendships and family love.

A raccoon steals food from a massive bear and has to replenish all of it. He attempts to trick a group of forest animals into helping him steal food from a human suburban estate. They fall prey to his sugar-laced lies and the tempting goodies laid before them, to the extent that they disregard the words of their former leader who sees through the raccoon's persona. They treat him with reverence and shower upon him gifts befitting those for a leader. Eventually they realise their former leader is correct in his judgement of the raccoon when the raccoon blurts out the truth while they are busy stealing food. He however, wins back their trust when he decides to risk the bear's wrath by destroying the food and save them from capture. Together, the animals gain victory over their human enemies.

The songs in between strike a chord in one's heart as they speak about themes close to every human. The betrayal felt by the former leader from his fellow animals, the newfound love felt by the raccoon from his new family members and the start of new friendships formed between the raccoon and the animals can be felt when one fully thrusts his empathy and emotions into the movie as it progresses.

Another movie still being shown in theatres is Cars. I was initially sceptical of this show as I thought that it was more for male moviegoers, since it is about a passion that pertains more to them. I was so wrong in this rash assessment.

The cars and vehicles come alive as personifications of real human archetypes. Their interaction and relationships formed among one another present invaluable lessons for life for the audience. Once again, the songs that accompany the movie are heart-stirring and evoke dycotonomies of choices to be made, not just by the characters themselves but also by viewers, should they be in the same situations.

A rookie car is initially arrogant and thinks he can make it in the limelight all on his own after being placed on par with the champion cars in a national race. He despises the sponsors who have supported him through his climb because they consist of old and rusty vehicles. As he journeys to LA for a second race to determine the real champion car among the three top placed cars, it is a journey that he will never forget.

He falls in love, finds true friendship in a jeep that he would have once looked down upon and makes a smashing discovery of a long-lost champion car in a long-forgotten town during the journey, all of which are sparked off by a crime he had committed against the town's laws. He learns what truth and the good life really mean as well, in the process of learning to give to others and putting hope back into their lives.

When he does compete in the second race, he learns the ultimate lesson of all: what a true champion really means and he does reap the rewards for it. He makes the right choices too, choosing love and friendship above glamour and fame. He learns to truly appreciate his sponsors as well.