--- title: "Over the Hedge: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/over-the-hedge/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/over-the-hedge" critics_score: 63 critics_reviews: 12 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Over the Hedge (2006): what the critics said Critics' score 63 from 12 reviews: 4 positive, 6 mixed, 2 negative. The reviews lean towards qualified approval, with praise concentrated on the dialogue, voice performances and brisk action rather than the story. Steve Carell’s Hammy draws particular appreciation, while the expressive animation and animal ensemble give the familiar formula some life. Critics also find comic promise in the satire of suburban consumption, though they disagree about how fully it develops. Even several favourable accounts describe the plot as slight or predictable. The spread is wide, and the balance tips towards mixed rather than enthusiastic. The AV Club finds the suburban satire sly and the comedy self-aware; Slant Magazine thinks the film abandons observational wit for action and leaves its premise underdeveloped. Variety is among the least persuaded, faulting the character design and predictable writing. Elsewhere, reservations concern the cumbersome opening and familiar family-values lesson, with disagreement over whether the jokes and performances are enough to compensate. ## The AV Club — Tasha Robinson Rating A-. 17 May 2006. The critic finds the film witty, self-aware, and engaging despite its feather-light plot and overcrowded cast. She especially praises its sly suburban satire and the expectation-reversing caffeinated-squirrel gag. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/over-the-hedge-1798201726) ## Empire — Nick de Semlyen Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 26 June 2006. The critic finds the film a surprisingly agreeable, frenetic diversion despite its familiar animated-comedy formula. The witty script and Steve Carell’s energetic performance as Hammy are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/hedge-review/) ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). The page is identified as a review of the matching 2006 film. Its verdict and specific praise or criticism are unavailable because access is blocked. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/over-the-hedge-2006) ## Screen Daily — John Hazelton Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 8 May 2006. The review text is unavailable behind the access wall, so its verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or criticism is visible in the accessible material. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/over-the-hedge/4027072.article) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 19 May 2006. The page does not expose the critic’s verdict or any specific praise or complaint. Its text contains only a JavaScript notice, so those details cannot be verified. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/19/movies/19hedg.html?_r=0) ## Time Out — Derek Adams Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 27 June 2006. The available excerpt questions whether the film will be vacuous comic shtick, but does not reveal the critic’s final verdict. It provides no specific element singled out for praise or complaint. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/over-the-hedge-1) ## Radio Times — Stella Papamichael Rating 3/5. Papamichael finds the animated adventure fun despite its predictable lesson in family values. She praises its cute critters, clever dialogue and fast-paced action, along with Bruce Willis leading a strong voice cast. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-ob4aho/over-the-hedge/) ## Slant Magazine — Nick Schager Rating 2/4. 16 May 2006. Schager finds the film timid and only intermittently funny, faulting it for trading the comic strip’s observational wit for action set pieces. He praises an early montage about human consumption but says the film fails to develop its satirical premise. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/over-the-hedge/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 30 June 2006. Bradshaw finds the comedy patchy, with some fun once its cumbersome opening is out of the way. He praises its satire of wasteful American consumerism, but says DreamWorks has not brought its best effort. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2006/jun/30/3) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 5 May 2006. McCarthy finds the film a middling, conventional effort that lacks the inventiveness and delight of the best computer animation. He praises the late-on fun of the Verminator’s elaborate pest-control schemes, but faults the character design and predictable writing. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2006/film/awards/over-the-hedge-1200516490/) ## Eye for Film — John Gallagher Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 29 June 2006. The critic finds the film consistently cute and funny, recommending it to viewers looking for laughs. They especially praise the many memorable animal characters and their performances. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/over-the-hedge-film-review-by-john-gallagher) ## Digital Spy — Daniel Saney Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 30 June 2006. The review finds the film entertaining despite its familiar, minimal storyline. It particularly praises Steve Carell’s performance as Hammy and the animation’s expressive facial work. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a34144/over-the-hedge/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/over-the-hedge.md