Sony's first full length animated film begins with Boog, a naive yet lovable 900 lb grizzly bear, rescuing a down on his luck mule deer, named Elliot, from the hood of an outlaw hunters truck. Boog's pleasant existence, as Park Ranger Beth's pet, is thrown into chaos when Elliot follows him home, wanting to be his buddy.

After a series of mishaps and mayhem, including the ransacking of a convenience store, Ranger Beth makes the decision to release Boog into the wild...3 days before hunting season opens. In an effort to make it home to Ranger Beth, Boog is ridiculed by the other animals as he tries to figure out forest living. From his reluctance to go to the bathroom in the open to letting a pack of squirrels keep him from a tree, it is obvious he does not belong in the woods. Elliot as his guide doesn't help matters at all.

Ranger Beth is concerned over Boog being out in the wild during open season and rightfully so. Shaw, the outlaw hunter who was angry at the release of Elliot from his truck, has now convinced himself that there is an animal uprising and is determined to hunt the leaders, Boog & Elliot, down.

Boog, Elliot, Shaw, the forest animals and open season hunters come together at the end in a showdown enlivened by the animals ingenious use of various "weapons".

My Rating
I started out liking this film, but they lost me as soon as they started putting in silly dance and song numbers by Boog and Elliot. I would be enjoying the humorous interaction between all of the characters, then Elliot would be singing. It slowed the movie down and wasn't needed. As an adult watching it I grew tired of being hit with drawn out boring scenes.

This 99 minute dvd will probably keep children amused with it's funny animated animal antics. It, may, even teach them a lesson about how to treat others. Open Season is rated PG for some rude humor, mild action and brief language. I, personally, never saw or heard anything that would have stopped me from letting a young child watch.

The actors that lend their voices to the characters did well in their various roles. The show had a liveliness to it that made me think they enjoyed their animated alter ego. I would have given this show 4 stars for the humor and plot, but the needless song numbers pull it down to a three star rating.

Main Character Voices:
Boog: Martin Lawrence
Elliot: Ashton Kutcher
Ranger Beth: Debra Messing
Shaw: Gary Sinise



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day