Hoodwinked

Every now and then a movie comes along that can combine Shrek and Rashomon while engaging in smirking cynicism and family uplift at the same time. Hoodwinked is one of those films: a series of story imperatives at complete cross-purposes that result in something spectacularly weird. The animated tale has an investigating frog (voiced by David Ogden Stiers) trying to nail down exactly what happened at Grandma;s house: is Red (Anne Hathaway) an innocent victim? Is the wolf (Patrick Warburton) actually an investigative journalist? Could Granny (Glenn Close) actually be an extreme sportswoman? And will the Woodsman (Jim Belushi) get the call-back for that commercial gig? It doesn’t matter, because the film’s simultaneous acceptance of and resistance to family animation conventions result in a magnificent freak. Were that its formal chops were aligned with its instincts — almost all of the dialogue is weak, absolutely all of the animation is dismal and the voice talents are left to fend for themselves. But though I can’t actually tell you that the movie is good, I can’t dismiss it out of hand for the freak audience, who are advised to get stoned beforehand, wait for the lights to go down and giggle like mad at every gauche moment. Those individuals are advised to make a blind purchase; all others should see it at their own risk. The extras include a funny and informative commentary with director Cory Edwards and co-writers Todd Edwards and Tony Leech, a surprisingly in-depth "making of” doc, a poorly animated video for "Critters Have Feelings” and five deleted scenes with optional commentary. (Alliance Atlantis)