The transcendent value of family and friends is the cornerstone of most family-orientated animated movies. "Over the Hedge" doesn't stray too far from that well-trodden path, but it adds the f-word into the equation - food, that is.

From the description of a Nacho chip to the reverence of Spuddies, the movie displays how much we love food. RJ (Bruce Willis, "Die Hard"), a street-smart raccoon who tries to take advantage of an unsuspecting group, is the leader of this team of local animals.

RJ clashes with the conservative turtle Verne (Garry Shandling, "Doctor Dolittle") when he tries to get everyone to raid the humans' home for food. The show starts off slowly and predictably but once their mission is accomplished, the real stakes are put on the dining table: RJ's emotional dilemma between betrayal and survival.

Other characters get less emphasis than the leaders RJ and Verne, but are developed to add more depth to the movie. Hammy (Steve Carell, "The 40 Year-Old-Virgin) is the hyperactive squirrel that gets to save the day. Ozzie (William Shatner, TVs "Boston Legal") is father to Heather (pop star Avril Lavigne) and, has to show his daughter that there's no shame in a possum playing dead. The forlorn skunk Stella (Wanda Sykes "Monster-In-Law") even gets to find love.

The laughs come in the form of physical goofiness. On occasion, the action is too exaggerated, even for an animated movie. Animals rocketing with a propane gas tank and later commandeering a truck may appear cutesy for children but will heap a collective sigh of disbelief for adults.

"Over the Hedge" is not a complex movie, but children will love the physical comedy and relatable characters.

Although accompanying parents may doze off halfway through, everyone can go home reminded of how grateful we should be for friends and family, and maybe a sudden craving for food.

Over the Hedge
At Showcase and Quality 16
Dreamworks

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars