Hoodwinked

You know the murder mystery scenario: that fairytale look of everything in place when things are not really as they seem. Take Little Red Riding Hood, for example (Hoodwinked! does): a granny who 'kicks fanny', a wolf who is more than just a master of disguise... everyone has a secret story to tell and characters at the scene are far from being 'the usual suspects'. Detective Flippers has his work cut out restraining the pigs and interrogating everyone through complex flashbacks. An initial attempt to charge Mr Wolf with 'intention to eat' falls flat. Bandits are the real problem - stealing goodies recipes and putting everyone out of business - but who is the ringleader?

Re-telling Little Red Riding Hood to reinterpret motives and personalities but still delivering an animation to keep kids amused is the challenge that Hoodwinked! sets itself, and in a large part it succeeds. The film works on several different levels to address different age groups. In a purely visual way, gags work like any Bugs Bunny cartoon with a minimum of script. The essential storyline, and some careful puns, are spoken at normal speed and are easy to follow for the next age group up. Finally a level of satire is added, often in fast, funny voices or snappy backchat for adults paying enough attention. The whole thing is punctuated by some enchanting songs, with a ukulele-playing goat and a great turn by Anne Hathaway (Brokeback Mountain, Devil Wears Prada, The Princess Diaries) whose beautiful clear voice as Red Riding Hood is as delightful singing as it is when speaking. (More songs by Miss Hathaway would not have gone amiss.)

The problem with Hoodwinked! is that it spreads itself a little too thinly in trying to entertain everyone. In this, it ends up a bit too clever for its own good. The tying up of ends is laborious for those who have followed the plot, whereas the main body of action perhaps takes itself too seriously for younger children. Nevertheless it is an interesting send-up on the well-worn fairytale and an accomplished CGI animation.