Fun and Funny

This movie was great fun. The movie really climaxes to a great finish and connected with me on many levels. For example, when RJ opens the chip packet it is represented like an atomic explosion of sensory overload. When Ham the Squirrel drinks soft drink and the world slows down so that everyone else is moving in slow motion. There is more than enough in this film for it to be watched more than once.

As a preacher I enjoy communication that connect and engage really well. This film constantly did both with ease. It brings a very fresh and satirical look at our materialism and consumerism while making us laugh (at ourselves).

Characters

The cleverness of this film was it’s ability to create characters that I could relate to; characters that I cared about and so this movie drew me into the story, the tension and the climax. Each character was flawed, aren’t we all. And this was the value of the film, that we are all flawed but we can still care about each other and encourage each others strengths for the good of our family.

Plot

The plot was simple but effective. The main character RJ the racoon played by Bruce Willis gets into deep trouble with a bear and uses the other characters to collect what he needs to pay the bear back. RJ displays his cleverness is rallying the other characters and making them work as a team (family). In the end he learns what it is to be a part of a family and takes on the bear’s wrath in an attempt to save his new friends from the Vermin exterminator who has captured them. They in turn help RJ escape from the bear.

The lessons taught

Families

Clearly this movie is about families (or friends) and how they can work together despite their dis-functionality. The importance is sticking together, helping each other and appreciating each others strengths and weaknesses. 

Environment

This movie also has a slap at Western suburbia and the way it unthinkingly destroys the habitat of cute and likable animals. This should make the greenies happy.

Concern

One thing that concerned me quite a lot was Vern the Turtle’s dependence on the tingle in his tail. Vern was right in working out that RJ was using his friends but only because he had a tingle in his tail. In other words he had a bad feeling and that was how he made many of his important decisions. In fact the other characters would go along with Vern because of his tingle. This is subtle I know, but I am very sensitive to the idea that we should go by our feelings. Jedi Masters in Star Wars constantly taught their pupils to block out their thoughts and trust their feelings. I think that many people get into more trouble by making decision based on how they feel than by sitting down and working through a problem.

People have affairs because of their feelings, they have abortions because of their feelings (of not being able cope with a child), they get divorced because they don’t feel loved anymore. God has given us feelings and sometimes they can guide us. But God has also given us a mind so that we can work things out. And sometimes we need to ask God for wisdom.

Conclusion

I really enjoyed this film, mostly on a fun level. I give it 3 stars.