Hoot (2006)
Average Rating: 4.7/10
Reviews Counted: 96
Fresh: 25 | Rotten: 71
Lacking energy and humor, Hoot is a ho-hum story of eco-awareness that falls flat as a pancake.
Average Rating: 4.8/10
Critic Reviews: 31
Fresh: 8 | Rotten: 23
Lacking energy and humor, Hoot is a ho-hum story of eco-awareness that falls flat as a pancake.
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Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 75,878
Movie Info
Three kids have an unexpected adventure as they try to protect some rare birds in this comedy drama based on a book for young adults by Carl Hiaasen. Roy Eberhardt (Logan Lerman) is a 14-year-old boy whose family has moved so often he's literally lost count of the number of times he's changed schools in the last ten years. Roy ought to be used to being the new kid at school by now, but making the switch from the big sky of Montana to the Gulf Coast of Florida proves to be a major challenge.
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Cast
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Luke Wilson
Officer David Delinko -
Logan Lerman
Roy Eberhardt -
Brie Larson
Beatrice Leep -
Tim Blake Nelson
Curly Branitt -
Cody Linley
Mullet Fingers -
Neil Flynn
Mr. Eberhardt -
Clark Gregg
Chuck Muckle -
Kiersten Warren
Mrs. Eberhardt -
Jessica Cauffiel
Mother Paula/Kilmberly -
Dean Collins
Garrett -
Eric Phillips
Dana Matherson -
Robert Wagner
Mayor Grandy -
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Hoot Trailer & Photos
All Critics (100) | Top Critics (32) | Fresh (25) | Rotten (71) | DVD (6)
This sweet-natured but plodding adaptation of a young-adult novel by Carl Hiaasen could have used a little less broad satire of corporate greed and a few more, well, owls. The critters peep from their burrows for only a few brief moments.
Top CriticIt would be a nice little family film if not for the fact that the young heroes commit felonies in the name of saving the environment.
Endangered as they are, burrowing owls will be disappointed to learn that their cause has been hitched to a movie with little entertainment value, let alone credible strategies to save their environment.
There is nothing objectionable in this family film, but it doesn't seem to appreciate the intelligence and savvy of its youthful audience. Kids can spot a silly stereotypical character as fast as the rest of us.
But while Hoot's pro-environment message to kids is certainly worthy, the unquestioning, pro-vigilante angle doesn't sit entirely well.
Fun to watch although falling short of a real hoot, this latest in a barrage of family movies largely succeeds at keeping the kiddies entertained and their parents from nodding off.
Promoting environmental conservation, this bland family film never generates much interest in either its human or animal participants.
A safe, slight film that doesn't possess the chaotic hilarity I associate with Carl Hiaasen's best writing.
The only highlight is a sequence of outstanding cinematography in Florida's Everglades. Oh, and there's one funny joke. But that doesn't make this film a hoot at all.
It's hard to hate a movie that essentially just wants to teach kids to respect the environment especially when that lesson is imparted in such an upbeat manner. But Hoot is also too bland and clumsy to wholeheartedly embrace.
Hoot in retrospect won't really offer your children anything they haven't already seen, and it's just another preachy environmental film that talks down to them. Have you seen Akeelah and the Bee?
The most important thing to know...is that it's co-produced by Jimmy Buffett, who also appears in a small role and provides new music for the soundtrack.
The least irritating adult in sight is also the least relevant: Officer Delinko (amiable Luke Wilson) tries to help the kids.
Parents may role their eyes more than once at this flightless film.
Younger kids will find the pranks and schemes funny, while the enviro-activist theme is an important message to which they may just latch on. The eco-responsibility part, not the venomous snake part, one hopes.
An environmentally conscious Newbery Honor novel has been turned into a disappointing and uninspired movie.
The three leads are likable, but they can't overcome a slapdash story or some wild overacting by the likes of Luke Wilson, Tim Blake Nelson, Neil Flynn and Clark Gregg.
It's hard to give a hoot about Roy or any of his furtive feathered friends when they're surrounded by a nest of dreary cliches.
Gets points for sweetness and a nice message, but that's all, folks
Shriner just doesn't have the skills yet to turn lightweight scuffle into heavyweight preaching without bringing down the whole production.
The owls are awfully cute. The eco message is awfully sincere. Beyond that, you probably won't give much of a "Hoot" about this mediocre family movie.
Holes, Because of Winn-Dixie and now, Hoot. Since we don't really have after school TV specials anymore, these kid novels-turned-hokey movies seem to be fitting the bill.
I can't image any kid getting excited by this eco-friendly kiddie-empowerment flick
A cute movie with good characters, a message about saving the environment, and still enjoyable. Better than the usual drek they try to pass off as fun family entertainment.
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Movie: ID: 155654850 Title: Hoot Release Date: 2006-05-05 00:00:00.0 MPAA: 2 Status: 1
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