About.com Rating
Further proof that the computer-animation genre belongs solely to Pixar and DreamWorks, Alpha and Omega is a lazy, hopelessly juvenile comedy that seems to have been designed to appeal only to very small children. This is despite the fact that directors Anthony Bell and Ben Gluck are clearly going for the feel of an old-fashioned Disney effort, as the movie features sweeping visuals that are frequently heightened by Chris P.
Bacon’s majestic score and an emphasis on larger-than-life action sequences.
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But Bell and Gluck’s good intentions are consistently (and constantly) undermined by the aggressive silliness within Chris Denk and Steve Moore’s screenplay, with the scripters' decision to stress elements of a decidedly puerile nature - there is, for example, an ongoing comedy bit revolving around a wolf whose howl is so terrible it kills small birds - ensuring that the movie is sure to alienate viewers over a certain age. (Let's just say that anyone past puberty is going to find the film's 88 minute running time a very long sit indeed.)
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And then, of course, there's the movie's 3-D presentation. Like so many other animated films of late, Alpha and Omega rarely exploits the new technology to a degree that justifies wearing those uncomfortable, color-draining glasses. It would be ridiculous to expect something along the lines of 2010's majestic How to Train Your Dragon every time, yet there's little doubt that too many animated films are employing the added dimension purely as a cash grab.
(This might just be the most blatant example of needless 3-D since the rebirth of the technology several years ago.)
The Story
Set primarily within Canada’s Jasper National Park, Alpha and Omega follows two wolves, Humphrey (Justin Long) and Kate (Hayden Panettiere), as they’re forced to team up after humans forcefully relocate them to Idaho (where the couple are meant to kick-start the dwindling wolf population). Their absence creates problems back home, as Kate’s father (Danny Glover’s Winston) was hoping that her potential marriage to the son of a rival pack’s ferocious leader (Dennis Hopper’s Tony) would end the feuding between the two packs.
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Instead, Kate and Humphrey begin the slow process of making their way back home – with their efforts helped along by a helpful French-Canadian goose (Larry Miller’s Marcel) and his duck sidekick (Eric Price’s Paddy). Their long journey is fraught with obstacles and unexpected problems; meanwhile, back home, the rival wolf packs are gearing up for a vicious battle over control of the small valley that they share.
The Voice Cast
Despite the enthusiasm with which he tackles the role of Humphrey, Justin Long is simply never able to entirely disappear into his character – which does ensure that the viewer is always aware that they’re listening to Justin Long. (This isn’t to say that the Going the Distance actor isn’t funny in the part, however.) Hayden Panettiere fares slightly better than her costar, as the actress generally does a nice job of portraying Kate’s transformation from obedient daughter to free-spirited rebel. The film’s MVPs, however, are Danny Glover and Dennis Hopper, with the two experienced performers turning in stellar voice work that often elevates Alpha and Omega above its decidedly juvenile sensibilities.
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The Bottom Line
It’s certainly not difficult to imagine very small children thrilling to the over-the-top antics of the two central characters, yet it’s just as impossible not to wish that the filmmakers had included a few elements designed to appeal to older viewers. Alpha and Omega’s pleasant visuals are essentially cancelled out by the ongoing emphasis on broad instances of slapstick, while the routine storyline – the whole mismatched-pair-falls-in-love thing is just about as old as cinema itself – is generally employed to hopelessly stale effect by directors Anthony Bell and Ben Gluck. Alpha and Omega’s failure is especially glaring when you consider that we’re in the middle of a golden age of computer animation, with both Pixar and DreamWorks cranking out modern classics on an impressively frequent basis.
Grade: D+
Alpha and Omega was directed by Anthony Bell and Ben Gluck and is rated PG for rude humor and some mild action.
Theatrical Release Date: September 17, 2010
Further proof that the computer-animation genre belongs solely to Pixar and DreamWorks, Alpha and Omega is a lazy, hopelessly juvenile comedy that seems to have been designed to appeal only to very small children. This is despite the fact that directors Anthony Bell and Ben Gluck are clearly going for the feel of an old-fashioned Disney effort, as the movie features sweeping visuals that are frequently heightened by Chris P.
Bacon’s majestic score and an emphasis on larger-than-life action sequences.
Â
But Bell and Gluck’s good intentions are consistently (and constantly) undermined by the aggressive silliness within Chris Denk and Steve Moore’s screenplay, with the scripters' decision to stress elements of a decidedly puerile nature - there is, for example, an ongoing comedy bit revolving around a wolf whose howl is so terrible it kills small birds - ensuring that the movie is sure to alienate viewers over a certain age. (Let's just say that anyone past puberty is going to find the film's 88 minute running time a very long sit indeed.)
Â
And then, of course, there's the movie's 3-D presentation. Like so many other animated films of late, Alpha and Omega rarely exploits the new technology to a degree that justifies wearing those uncomfortable, color-draining glasses. It would be ridiculous to expect something along the lines of 2010's majestic How to Train Your Dragon every time, yet there's little doubt that too many animated films are employing the added dimension purely as a cash grab.
(This might just be the most blatant example of needless 3-D since the rebirth of the technology several years ago.)
The Story
Set primarily within Canada’s Jasper National Park, Alpha and Omega follows two wolves, Humphrey (Justin Long) and Kate (Hayden Panettiere), as they’re forced to team up after humans forcefully relocate them to Idaho (where the couple are meant to kick-start the dwindling wolf population). Their absence creates problems back home, as Kate’s father (Danny Glover’s Winston) was hoping that her potential marriage to the son of a rival pack’s ferocious leader (Dennis Hopper’s Tony) would end the feuding between the two packs.
Â
Instead, Kate and Humphrey begin the slow process of making their way back home – with their efforts helped along by a helpful French-Canadian goose (Larry Miller’s Marcel) and his duck sidekick (Eric Price’s Paddy). Their long journey is fraught with obstacles and unexpected problems; meanwhile, back home, the rival wolf packs are gearing up for a vicious battle over control of the small valley that they share.
The Voice Cast
Despite the enthusiasm with which he tackles the role of Humphrey, Justin Long is simply never able to entirely disappear into his character – which does ensure that the viewer is always aware that they’re listening to Justin Long. (This isn’t to say that the Going the Distance actor isn’t funny in the part, however.) Hayden Panettiere fares slightly better than her costar, as the actress generally does a nice job of portraying Kate’s transformation from obedient daughter to free-spirited rebel. The film’s MVPs, however, are Danny Glover and Dennis Hopper, with the two experienced performers turning in stellar voice work that often elevates Alpha and Omega above its decidedly juvenile sensibilities.
Â
The Bottom Line
It’s certainly not difficult to imagine very small children thrilling to the over-the-top antics of the two central characters, yet it’s just as impossible not to wish that the filmmakers had included a few elements designed to appeal to older viewers. Alpha and Omega’s pleasant visuals are essentially cancelled out by the ongoing emphasis on broad instances of slapstick, while the routine storyline – the whole mismatched-pair-falls-in-love thing is just about as old as cinema itself – is generally employed to hopelessly stale effect by directors Anthony Bell and Ben Gluck. Alpha and Omega’s failure is especially glaring when you consider that we’re in the middle of a golden age of computer animation, with both Pixar and DreamWorks cranking out modern classics on an impressively frequent basis.
Grade: D+
Alpha and Omega was directed by Anthony Bell and Ben Gluck and is rated PG for rude humor and some mild action.
Theatrical Release Date: September 17, 2010
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