C-: Tries Too Hard

[freckles_and_doubt]

A word to the wise: Hoodwinked? Probably don't bother. This movie tried so hard to be Shrek, it was painful. Also, the animation was really bad. Also, the jokes were stupid. I mean, Vin Diesel rip-off extreme sports grannies? Really. I liked the laconic gumshoe wolf and the hyper squirrel, but, please, so done! Also, I was convinced throughout that the frog detective was voiced by Cary Elwes - it even had his Robin Hood moustache! - and was betrayed when I found out it wasn't.

To lift this beyond the level of personal whinge: Shrek worked because, despite its contemporary references, it used its fairy-tale basis respectfully and affectionately. Hoodwinked is a sort of semi-noir comic reconstructive detectivey thrillery sort of thing that pulls in fairy tale only as an add-on, not an intrinsic element, and tries to be all very hip and modern about it, but basically it's just smart-arse. I was forced to come home and re-watch Ella Enchanted, just to get the taste of plastic out of my mouth. Hugh Dancy works quite well for that, I find.

Also, now there is not too much chocolate in this house. Now there is too much chocolate in me. < feels sick >.

Comments

[khoi-boi.livejournal.com]

Meh... I liked Hoodwinked, and have found I can't watch Shrek again, its inherently contradictory stance on discrimination pisses me off so much, never mind Eddie Murphy's Donkey. I liked Hoodwinked because I like multi-POV whodunnits (although the culprit was very obvious from the second retelling), the fairytale bits were set dressing to me. Plus I knew going in that the animation wasn't Pixariffic, so I wasn't disappointed there, either.

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

the fairytale bits were set dressing to me

Precisely why I disliked it! We clearly watched this for different reasons; I love Shrek because its self-aware use of fairy tale is so clever, whereas here it was simply flat. Hoodwinked had some fun moments, but I watched with steadily mounting irritation, and I think I giggled a total of twice throughout.

[mac1235.livejournal.com]

Having seen the trailer 1000 times I did not find it too funny. I don't regret seeing it and downloaded the soundtrack.

[(Anonymous)]

So 'Ella Enchanted' is worth watching? I've held off because I loved the book so much.
everymoment.

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

It's fun - occasionally silly, but I rather like the cast - Anne Hathaway is both luminous and sparky, and Hugh Dancy has the requisite charm. Also, score on Cary Elwes as a very camp bad guy. The film manages to be tongue-in-cheek without being plastic about its fairy tale, and the special effects are fun, too. Also has an undercurrent of serious issues about power and rulership and what have you. Not an epicly great movie, but very watchable. Must dig out the book, I haven't read it.