OPEN SEASON, an animated action-adventure, follows the fortunes of two forest-animal misfits. Boog (Martin Lawrence) is a gentle and domesticated bear; Elliot (Ashton Kutcher) is an absentminded and accident-prone deer who has been shunned by his herd. Together, they struggle to adapt to the ways of life in the wild and on their own. Boog longs to return to the cushy conditions he had with Beth (Debra Messing), an animal-loving park ranger who rescued him and raised him as a pet from the time he was a cub. Desperate to please his new friend, who spared him from an overzealous hunter (Gary Sinise), Elliot tries to help lead Boog back to the mountainside town, but instead they are met with hostility by their fellow forest creatures, including a combative squirrel, McSquizzy (Billy Connelly); a perfectionist beaver, Reilly (Jon Favreau); and a machismo-fueled deer, Ian (Patrick Warburton), who is Elliot's nemesis. Now, with hunting season upon them, they must all align to defend themselves against the hunters that annually plague their domain. 

While obviously geared toward kids, OPEN SEASON covers quite a few adult themes, including the comparison of man and beast. By pitting animals against hunters, the film operates from a pro-animal and pro-environment stance. It also conveys the importance of getting along with those different from ourselves, and encourages teamwork and acceptance of others. The PG-rated film includes some mature references, including rude humor and mild violence, but overall offers entertainment appropriate for the whole family.  

Theatrical Release: September 29, 2006

UMD Features:

Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.78
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dubbed - French, Spanish - Optional
Subtitles - English, French, Spanish - Optional

Roger Allers: director
Jill Culton: Director, OPEN SEASON (2006)
Anthony Stacchi: Director, OPEN SEASON (2006)

Michelle Murdocca: Producer. OPEN SEASON, (2006)

Steve Bencich: Screenwriter, BROTHER BEAR (2003)
Ron J. Friedman: Screenwriter, BROTHER BEAR (2003)

Paul Westerberg: American Singer/Songwriter

Ken Solomon: Director/Producer
Pam Ziegenhagen: Editor, Open Season, (2006)

"[With] periodic bursts of cleverness and eye-popping imagery....There are probably enough action-packed animal-versus-hunter battles and gross-out gags to keep the kiddies amused."
"[A] set-piece involving a huge flood is suitably dynamic, and there's a suspenseful sequence when Boog finds he's stumbled into the house of his hunter-nemesis."