A criminally underrated DreamWorks classic that serves up equal parts belly laughs and biting social commentary. Don’t skip it.
Yet Over the Hedge has aged beautifully. In an era of Amazon delivery, food waste scandals, and gated communities, its critique of "taking more than you need" feels more relevant than ever. It’s a film that asks: Is a lawn full of poison and a garage full of junk really a better life than a forest floor full of acorns? DreamWorks Over The Hedge
His only problem? The pristine forest separating him from this bounty is protected by a newly erected hedge. On the other side of that hedge lives (Garry Shandling), a neurotic, overly cautious turtle who leads a small, hibernating family of foragers: Hammy the hyperactive squirrel (Steve Carell), Stella the sassy skunk (Wanda Sykes), the possum family (including a perpetually "playing dead" dad), and two porcupines. A criminally underrated DreamWorks classic that serves up
While the world moves at a crawl (a falling drop of water, a cat’s lazy blink), Hammy zips around at normal speed, rearranging objects, watching TV, and casually winning a footrace against light itself. It’s a brilliant, purely cinematic gag that highlights DreamWorks’ technical ambition and willingness to be weird. It remains one of the most beloved single scenes in any DreamWorks film. Instead of a standard pop soundtrack, DreamWorks hired singer-songwriter Ben Folds to compose and perform original songs. The opening number, "Family of Me," and the montage track "Heist" give the film a quirky, indie-rock heart. Most memorable is Folds’ cover of "Rockin’ the Suburbs," which plays over the end credits, perfectly encapsulating the film’s theme: suburban angst, but from a raccoon’s point of view. Legacy: Why It Still Matters Upon release, Over the Hedge was a solid hit, grossing $336 million worldwide against an $80 million budget. Critics praised its wit, voice cast, and animation. However, in the years since, it has been somewhat overshadowated by Pixar’s Cars (released the same month) and DreamWorks’ own Shrek sequels. In an era of Amazon delivery, food waste
