This guilty pleasure could stand a little more pleasure and a little less guilt.
Ben (Sam Elliot), a male cow (hang on, I'll get to that), has devoted everything to protecting the farm he calls home from threats outside the fence, prime among them being Dag the Coyote (David Koechner). All the animals trust him, since he has proved himself repeatedly, but the only one in line to take up the mantle from Ben is Otis (Kevin James), the very image of a party animal.
This is merely one of those anarchic films of which we probably have memories that are too positive. "Animal House", "Bachelor Party", "Meatballs", "Caddyshack", the list goes on. This one just happens to be animated, and put frankly, it's no less fun. The film shines when the stunts are pulled, and while the party's on. It has the patented Steve Oedekerk look and feel, sporting the same stark colors and bouncy character design seen in "Jimmy Neutron". Everything, right down to the environments, seems to have been created for comedy. Of course, this is where the project somewhat falls in upon itself. Things rather sour when any sort of drama is attempted, damaging the execution of a capable enough script. It's hard to accept a tender moment from characters who have just engaged in hill-surfing, chicken-launching, human-taunting, or "boy tipping". The misplaced anatomy is a minor consideration compared to narrative misfire, albeit well-cast, comical misfire. Bottom line, it's not about story or heart, and you won't receive any spiritual or intellectual advancement, but that didn't stop you from watching the like of the aforementioned films. It's mindless fun, and that's all there is to be expected.
Ben (Sam Elliot), a male cow (hang on, I'll get to that), has devoted everything to protecting the farm he calls home from threats outside the fence, prime among them being Dag the Coyote (David Koechner). All the animals trust him, since he has proved himself repeatedly, but the only one in line to take up the mantle from Ben is Otis (Kevin James), the very image of a party animal.
This is merely one of those anarchic films of which we probably have memories that are too positive. "Animal House", "Bachelor Party", "Meatballs", "Caddyshack", the list goes on. This one just happens to be animated, and put frankly, it's no less fun. The film shines when the stunts are pulled, and while the party's on. It has the patented Steve Oedekerk look and feel, sporting the same stark colors and bouncy character design seen in "Jimmy Neutron". Everything, right down to the environments, seems to have been created for comedy. Of course, this is where the project somewhat falls in upon itself. Things rather sour when any sort of drama is attempted, damaging the execution of a capable enough script. It's hard to accept a tender moment from characters who have just engaged in hill-surfing, chicken-launching, human-taunting, or "boy tipping". The misplaced anatomy is a minor consideration compared to narrative misfire, albeit well-cast, comical misfire. Bottom line, it's not about story or heart, and you won't receive any spiritual or intellectual advancement, but that didn't stop you from watching the like of the aforementioned films. It's mindless fun, and that's all there is to be expected.