Review - Matt Mungle plus a word from Cady

   

Do you ever look at a squirrel looking back at you and wonder what he is thinking? Did you ever want to delve into the minds of woodland creatures and study their patterns and behavior in such a way that you could better know them? Furry Vengeance does none of that. But it does allow animals the opportunity to bring justice and a little pint sized humor to the big screen. It is a film that is kid friendly, kid focused and one only kids will be entertained by; which is fine because even the youngest movie goer needs a flick that is made just for them.

Dan Sanders (Brendan Fraser) is a real estate developer with a real problem on his hands. His maniacal boss (Ken Jeong) has put him in charge of a new subdivision that will replace a section of thriving woodlands. Although his company touts themselves as “green” they are doing little to show it. Dan soon finds himself under attack by the forests current, furry residents led by one plotting raccoon. Dan not only has to battle these woodland vigilantes but convince his wife (Brooke Shields) and family that he is not going completely bonkers.

This film is absolute slapstick and one that few adults will find creative or entertaining. One has to wonder what happened to the Fraser who rocked our movie world in The Mummy and more solid comedies like Blast from the Past. But the kids will love his almost animated body contortions and facial expressions. He delivers the pratfalls well and that is important when a film has little else to go on. Brooke is insignificant in this other than to play the straight (wo)man to Frasers blunders. She isn’t bad, just never utilized. Jeong is certainly the strongest comedic element and the only thing that adults will remotely find amusing. As with past characters he mixes sarcasm and wit into a persona you love to hate.

If there is anything creative to say about this endeavor it is the seamless interaction between the real life actors and their onscreen counterparts. Although most of the animals are inserted later you never get that feeling as you are watching it. The film makers are able to capture the animals moving and scampering about and then utilize that to fit the particular scene. When you see a crazed raccoon pummeling Fraser’s face you never know that the two were never in close proximity.

Furry Vengeance is rated PG for some rude humor, mild language and brief smoking. It is safe for nearly everyone in your family but again most over the age of 10 will soon grow tired of its shenanigans. Kids hopefully will take with them a reminder of how important it is to not only value the “green” mindset but take into consideration our four legged friends and the effect our actions play in their daily lifestyle. It is in no way preachy but at the same time will make you wonder if some of the things corporate America does is necessity or a detriment to the future of our coexistence with nature. It gets 2.5 out of 5 raised skunk tails. Kids will dig it but woe to the adult who has to endure it with them. So says Matt Mungle.

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Cady chimes in with thoughts for the younger movie goer!

 

Furry Vengeance is about a man and his family that move from the city to the forest. The man’s name is Dan. He had to move his family for his job and they were not happy, especially his son. His job is to build suburbs in the forest. His boss was not nice and makes evil plans to destroy the forest. The leader of the forest animals is a raccoon. He hears the mean boss telling Dan to destroy the animal homes and trees where all the animals live so they can build more houses. All the animals make plans to torture Dan so he will leave and not destroy their home. I thought this movie was so funny.

 

The animals are smart with their plans. They do crazy things to Dan that will make you laugh a lot. The skunks even squirt him and he has to take a bath in tomato soup and lots of silly things happen to him when he is doing this. The animals do not talk, so when they are making a plan a bubble goes on top of their head so you can know what they are thinking and it will crack you up. This movie also has a good message about being kind to our Earth and not destroying trees.