Review of “Hoot”
This is a wholesome, straightforward children’s tale about caring for the environment, which manages to get through ninety minutes without a shred of cynicism. What! Do they still make movies like that? Well, yes – but there is a cost. There are few surprises, and I expect that whilst parents might like to think that their teenagers will enjoy this, it will probably be thought a tad lame and far to goody-goody-gum-drops to those who’ve reached the cynical ‘whatever’ stage of their tweens.
Based on a best selling book by Carl Hiaasen and set on Florida’s semi-tropical coastline, the story centers on Roy (Logan Lerman), whose father works for the Justice Department and who has moved six times in the last eight years. This latest posting to sleepy and laid back Coconut Cove sees Roy start at yet another school. Although he’s clearly thoughtful and caring, he is also inquisitive enough to get pulled into a mystery involving a strange running boy (Cody Linley) and a strange moody girl (Brie Larson). His newness and fresh-air looks also draw the attention of the school bully Dana (Eric Phillips), who delights in persecuting Roy on the school bus. Trailing the running boy, whilst battling the bully and befriending the girl, Roy learns of a scheme to build the latest outlet of a nationwide pancake franchise on a vacant block of bush land, threatening the wildlife. It is this site, overseen by a cantankerous manager and guarded by an inept policeman, that is the location for a series of strange nocturnal incidents and much of the film’s action.
The plot moves steadily along and is never dull, although never thrilling. It has the distinct episodic feel and cinematographical style of a television show and relies upon classic stereotyping of characters such as the bumbling cop (well played by Luke Wilson), the brainless bully, and the greedy executive, for its light relief. The cast is sound but the direction is bland, leaving the story often sentimental, and the message unimaginatively on the bulldozer side of subtle. Singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett, who produced the film and who also appears as a teacher at Roy’s school, provides some appropriately amiable music, including the theme song with lyrics such as “even though it’s a cynical world, the good guys win every once in a while.” It may be naive, but it’s also refreshing to see a family film made with such positive values, and children taking responsibility for getting things done in ways appropriate for their age.
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