Under the whelmed.

A movie that starts, progresses and ends badly is less disappointing than one which ignites a glimmer of hope before smothering it in a wet blanket of mediocrity. Over the Hedge, the latest star-studded Happy Meal advertisement from the creators of Shrek falls into the latter category.

The movie opens promisingly enough, using the plight of a small collection of woodland creatures as a wedge into the larger issues of urban sprawl and over-consumption. Facing the steady erosion of their natural habitat at the hands of voracious subdivision developers, the furry protagonists must contend with all manner of backyard mayhem; hilarity ensues.

Unfortunately, the early hints of subversive content are quickly revealed to be lies: the film reverts back to form at about the ten-minute mark and we're left with the same stale jokes, thin, stereotyped characters and crappy molded-plastic (landfill-cluttering) toys lining the shelves at Zellers. This film could have been really good but everyone involved just shrugged and walked away. Whatever.