On CLIPS In May, 2010
FURRY VENGEANCE   

Brendan Fraser stars in this family comedy about animals defending their homes against real estate developers.

TRIVIA: In which 1997 comedy did Brendan Fraser star as the title character who lived with animals?

A real estate developer's new housing subdivision in the Oregon wilderness faces opposition from the local woodland creatures. In charge of the project, Dan Sanders (Brendan Fraser) becomes the target of the angry animals. "Furry Vengeance" is aimed squarely at the kiddies and just barely grazes the intended moviegoers. Plenty of sight gags and very little bathroom humor make this movie family friendly, but there is not much on the screen for teens and adults. The critters out-act the human cast which includes Brendan Fraser, Brooke Shields as his wife Tammy and Ken Jeong ("The Hangover") as big boss Neal Lyman. Director Roger Kumble ("Just Friends") finds many ways to make his stars look silly. He is clearly on the side of the animals. It is possible to produce a film of this genre that can be enjoyed by all ages. "Mouse Hunt" is a perfect example. "Furry Vengeance" is not. There is an environmental message delivered along with the goofy mayhem involved in catching the fuzzy culprits. But fair warning: once inside the theater, the audience is trapped.