Wow….that’s all I can really say about this movie. I have two views, as it were, to layout here: one as a rabid comic book fan and the other as an engaged movie-goer. View 1: I LOVE WHAT DC IS DOING! I suppose it’s all Dan Dido’s fault (he signed on as the new king of DC a couple of years ago), because I don’t know who else to blame for these beautiful renditions of first Batman and now Superman. I know I mentioned it in my Batman Begins review, but I’ll say it again, because it makes me even more of a rabid fan. Now that they’ve restored two of the major three DC heroes, after Wonder Woman comes out (how can a Joss Whedon script be anything but brilliant?), they could very well tackle a Justice League of America film, which would introduce as “bit players” Flash and Green Lantern which would then spin off into their own movies. If nothing else, I desire a Flash movie with CGI. It would be beautiful, especially if DC rides as close herd with it as they have with Batman and Superman.

Marlon Brando’s digital recreation was incredible. I love watching the online vid showing us how they recreated Brando’s face digitally…it’s “mesmerizing” as Harry of AICN puts it, and shows the limitless potential of CGI.

View 2: As a movie goer, I cannot accurately comment on this film as I don’t know what has happened preceding this. I saw Superman a while ago, but never saw 2 or 3.

The John Williams theme is used to open and close the film and the rest of the music is beautifully poignant. I almost want the soundtrack (I’ll probably get it after my second viewing). I love the old school titles for the intro (just like the original) with the digital matte backgrounds as we hurtle through space back towards Earth. Brandon Routh is incredible as Superman/Clark Kent. His performance is just…it’s like Christopher Reeves got reincarnated after he had his accident. Kate Bosworth is enjoyable as Lois Lane…I liked her performance, but can’t say much more without picking the plot to death. Kevin Spacey is hilarious as Lex Luthor. He brings this manic energy and fun to the role that I can vaguely remember in Gene Hackman’s performance. He does a nice job at making Luthor a layered character, rather than pure evil.

Now the plot holes…the timeline they lay out gets very diluted by the end of the film. That’s all. You’ll understand what I mean when you see the film. But you will believe a man can fly.

I can’t believe I’m actually going to say this, but I was pleasantly surprised by Over the Hedge. As anyone who has paid any attention to me knows I have absolutely despised the more recent “hits” DreamWorks has churned out, but this film was enjoyable and close enough to it’s source material that I was able to appreciate what was accomplished.

The voice acting was phenomenal. Eugene Levy and Catharine O’Hara as Minnesotan porcupines? William Shatner as an overacting possum? Thomas Hayden Church as The Verminator*? It’s the funniest thing this side of Mars! And Steve Carrell…he’s the next Robin Williams of animation…I hope to God that the DVD has outtakes of him in the booth.

The biggest change from the source material (if you can call it that) is that this is more of an introductory story to the world of Over the Hedge. It’s about the characters first encounter with civilization and the glory of the refrigerator. Obviously a movie can’t be about something as serialized as that (I can’t imagine a sequel, but I could definitely imagine a TV series of CG stuff…that would be bitchin’), so we have to introduce the characters and set a goal for them to accomplish. With a boilerplate story like that, throw in a dash of conflict and betrayal and an awakening of truth within the hero and you’ve got a decent movie. Definitely recommend this one.

Oh yeah…and what was with that “short” before the movie? I couldn’t quite get into it a) because it’s a fat guy and b) because I’m so dead set against DreamWorks. But the short felt kind of like the Pixar shorts in that it felt like it was the brainchild of one of DreamWorks’ staff…so I guess I just have to accept it. DreamWorks has to compete with Pixar…but the short feels like more of a business reaction than a thoroughly fleshed out artistic statement.

*I disapprove of his character modeling though. If you’re gonna model a fat guy, you have to get Wayne Knight, period.

I absolutely adored this movie. The characters are vivid and enjoyable, the voice acting is phenomenal and the music is lots of fun. My biggest regret watching the film was that I never actually took a road trip on Route 66. What I love the most is that aside from the story, the film really emphasizes Americana with the music and the car racing and the Route 66, and I love Americana. I love being America and I love it when art emphasizes this and shares this great patriotic pride I have.

Owen Wilson plays Lightning McQueen, rookie race car who desires nothing more than the Piston cup. His brash, arrogant attitude and cocky style get him in jail in Radiator Springs, the Jewel on the Mother Road (Route 66). Here he learns the lessons he never learned growing up (where are his parents?) and in the end finds himself in what he affectionately calls “Hillbilly Hell”. Helping him on his journey are Bonnie Hunt as Sally and Paul Newman as Doc Hudson.

Larry the Cable Guy is the funniest thing on four wheels. “Maybe I should have hitched him up to Bessie…and then taken the boot off…” “I swear, tractor’s is so DUMB!”

I wish I spoke Italian so I could understand more of what Luigi and Guido kept talking about. “Pit stop?” When Guido has his moment…you will know.

John Ratzenberger participates as a Mack truck that has to haul Owen Wilson around the country, and provides the funniest credit bits since the outtakes from A Bug’s Life. There is also a touching tribute to Joe Ranft, who was tragically killed in a car crash before this film was released. Both this film and Corpse Bride owe a lot to this guy, and the world grieves the loss of his talent.

Richard Kind cameo’s as the standard suburban driver car who refuses to ask for directions. But redneck comedians always warn us about this…doesn’t everybody know to not let ego get involved? Oh well.

The landscapes contain some of the most beautiful CGI I’ve ever seen. It’s so beautiful I want to cry with happiness. More than anything, they are what I regret about having not traveled down Route 66.

This movie is another jewel in Pixar’s crown, to be treasured by the world. No, not the world. Just America. Europe doesn’t understand NASCAR. Then again, neither did I until I saw this movie (but don’t tell anybody).