Boog is a fully domesticated bear. He lives with his trainer and works performing on stage. Then he meets Elliot, who is tied to the trunk of a car, and in a moment of pity cuts one of the ropes. So Elliot (a deer voiced by Ashton Kutcher, star of That 70s Show and Just Married) pops by to say thankyou by introducing him to "WooHoo" bars.

After a short trip to the convenience store after hours and a live show in which he appears to maul a deer on stage (through the magic of shadows), they get dropped off in the wild. Boog cannot cope in the wild and decides to trek home, but Open Season starts in just a few days. So when they and a load of other woodland creatures accidentally end up on the hunting ground, they have to team up and fight back.

This isn't a bad movie by any stretch of the imagination. The characters are loveable and most younger viewers will find this both amusing and enchanting. My favourite characters would have to be the porcupine who says "buddy" in a very creepy way and the Scotish squirrel (voiced by Billy Connolly, The Man Who Sued God).

It is not as good as some of this years other animated greats, like Over The Hedge for example, but certainly worth a peek. One the kids' will enjoy, I'm sure.

see also:
Aladdin, Toy Story 3, Over the hedge, The Incredibles

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photo © Columbia.