Hoodwinked

Fairy tales are typically used to teach children lessons, if not to
scar them for life in the name of a moral. Grimms’ fairy tales included
one of a little girl with a tell-tale crimson hat or hood. Known
primarily as a cautionary tale for avoiding strangers, Little Red
Riding Hood has been spoofed and lampooned since the film industry
began. Animation is no exception, one of the best being Tex Avery’s Red
Hot Riding Hood of 1943, where the hooded one tortures the wolf both
physically and sensually as a singing vixen that became iconic for the
time. Despite a very budgeted look, the latest computer animated
retelling, Hoodwinked, delivers a lot of laughs in that same vein.

Big name voices bring new life to the typically silent children’s book characters. Anne Hathaway speaks for a no-nonsense Red with a martial arts blackbelt. Glenn Close lends her cords to Granny, a loveable old rocking chair jockey with an extreme sports secret. Patrick Warburton as the Wolf, reveals that hunger is not necessarily a motive and Jim Belushi
voices the dim-witted Woodsman who is more victim than hero in a
mystery of CSI proportions. What starts as a domestic dispute call to
woodland authorities (led by Chief Grizzly, Xzibit), erupts into a plot thicker than the Woodsman’s head.

Well, actually, you’ll likely figure out the criminal mastermind early
on, but who cares. Quick witted quips, a few pop culture references and
a good amount of silly comedy make for an enjoyable, and short, flic
that can be enjoyed by both adults and children.

One will immediately notice that the film shrinks in comparison to
Shrek on the animation level. Character designs are excellent, but
movement is stiff and constrained. It’s not bad enough to detract from
the story, but any fan of Pixar or Dreamworks’ films might feel a
little cheated. Writers/Directors Cory and Todd Edwards prove that even
with an incredibly low budget (approx $1.6 million), a great film can
still be created independently.

Favorite moments: Fast talking and hyperactive Twitchy the squirrel
(Cory Edwards) takes his first sip of coffee and demonstrates every
exaggerated facial expression in the book before rocketing off through
the forest at light speed. Red meets Jepth (Benjy Gaither),
a hillbilly billy-goat who is cursed to sing everything he would
normally speak. Finally, the ever-present, ever-incompetent 3 little
pig police officers often provide a lot of background humor to keep an
eye out for.