Hoot (2006)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Wil Shriner

Writers:

Carl Hiaasen (based on the novel by)
Wil Shriner (screenplay)

Release Date:

5 May 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Family

Tagline:

It's time to stand up for the little guys.

Plot:

A young man (Lerman) moves from Montana to Florida with his family, where he's compelled to engage in a fight to protect a population of endangered owls.

Plot Keywords:

Owl | Florida | Montana | Jogging | Trailer

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Luke Wilson	...	Delinko
Logan Lerman	...	Roy Eberhardt
Brie Larson	...	Beatrice
Tim Blake Nelson	...	Curly
Cody Linley	...	Mullet Fingers
Neil Flynn	...	Mr. Eberhardt
Clark Gregg	...	Muckle
Kiersten Warren	...	Mrs. Eberhardt
Jessica Cauffiel	...	Kimberly
Dean Collins	...	Garrett
Robert Wagner	...	Mayor Grandy
Eric Phillips	...	Dana Matherson
Jimmy Buffett	...	Mr. Ryan
John Archie	...	Captain
Robert Donner	...	Kalo

MPAA:

Rated PG for mild bullying and brief language.

Runtime:

USA:91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG | Canada:G (Ontario) | Singapore:PG | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Boca Grande, Florida, USA

Company:

Hoot Productions LLC

Trivia:

The fine print beneath the newspaper photo showing the spray-painted police car credits Wil Shriner as the photographer.

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: In the scene where Curly Branitt is about to enter the construction trailer restroom to hit a rat with a baseball bat, the shadow of a boom mic moves into view in the hallway.

Quotes:

[about Dana, after Roy broke his nose]
Roy Eberhardt: I wrote him a note, that should be the end of it.
Garrett: A note? That's adorable. What did you say? "I'm sorry I smoked you. Please don't break every bone in my body. Please leave me one good arm so I can feed myself"?
Roy Eberhardt: You're hysterical.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Troldspejlet: (#38.3)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Back of the Bus

Hoot is a good family film

It is great to see a film starring kids whose idea of "acting adult" is not engaging in sensuality. Instead, these kids see a problem in their community and take responsibility for helping to solve it. Hoot is a film aimed squarely at families looking for a fun day at the cinema. The production values are good, especially sweeping shots of Montana and Florida. The soundtrack by Jimmy Buffet is a perfect fit. The young actors are spirited and refreshing.

The plot, about a trio of kids who work together to save some burrowing owls from death at the hands of an unscrupulous pancake house empire builder, will engage kids. So many films make children appear powerless, it is nice to see a movie that shows children working hard to make a difference. And even though parents are absent or temporarily distracted, it was pleasant to see kids who want to follow in their parents footsteps and try to right injustices.

If you are tired of all of the self-indulgent story lines about children that fill the cinema, give Hoot a shot. Then take some time to talk to your kids about the adventure of serving others and caring about the world they live in. A positive message from a positive film.