You have to give Brendan Fraser one thing – the guy’s a good sport. Having donned a loincloth in George of the Jungle, sported a Canadian Mountie’s outfit for Dudley Do-Right and gone rounds with Bugs Bunny in Looney Tunes: Back in Action, the actor has proven that he has no problem making fun of himself. Though this prevents some from seeing what a capable actor he is, this willingness to go all out holds him in good stead in these movies, as well as in his new feature, Furry Vengeance.
Playing out like a live-action version of 2006’s animated Over the Hedge, the film finds developer Dan Sanders (Fraser) in charge of building a massive subdivision on what is a pristine wilderness plot. His boss (Ken Jeong) has no conscience when it comes to the environment, but Sanders’ wife and son (Brooke Shields and Matt Prokop) challenge the ethics surrounding the project. This puts Dan in an awkward position as he goes ahead with the development, as does the fact that he begins to be attacked by the soon-to-be-displaced denizens of the forest. That no one believes him goes without saying, though seeing a raccoon hotwire a car and drive it may make believers of even the most skeptical.
To be sure, how much you enjoy this film is dependent on how funny you think someone being thrashed around in a Porta-Potty is. Personally, I’ve outgrown this gag but I’m sure those under 10 years old will squeal with delight at the sight. Anyone older will smile occasionally at this silly production and might be a bit impressed with the computer effects on display. Beyond that, there’s not much here for the discerning viewer, though rest assured that if you end up taking your kids, you’ll always know what time it is. Checking your watch often will be the key to keeping your sanity during this one.
Contact Chuck Koplinski at ckoplinski@usd116.org.
