Hoot (2006)
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26% of critics liked it
(96 reviews) -
56% of users liked it
(75,878 ratings)
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… More 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. While Roy quickly becomes the target of school bully Dana Matherson (Eric Phillips), he's befriended by Beatrice Leep (Brie Larson), a spunky girl with enough nerve to stand up to Dana, and her brother Mullet Fingers (Cody Linley). Beatrice and Mullet share their big secret with Roy -- they have a hidden hideaway where they look after a flock of wild owls. The owls in question are on the endangered species list, but that's of little concern to Chuck Muckle (Clark Gregg), a top executive from the Mother Paula's All-American Pancake House chain, who is planning to build a new restaurant in the hollow where the owls nest. Roy, Beatrice, and Mullet are determined to find a way to save the owls, but Muckle and his right-hand man, Curly Brannitt (Tim Blake Nelson), are less interested in saving the birds than in turning a profit. The kids have a plan, however, and they uncover some evidence of interest to David Delinko (Luke Wilson), a well-meaning but slow-witted policeman investigating some dirty doings tied in to the pancake house. Hoot features a handful of new recordings from popular Florida musician Jimmy Buffett, who also helped produce the film. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Wil Shriner
- Written By
- Wil Shriner, Carl Hiaasen, Rob Lieber
- Genres
- Drama, Kids & Family, Comedy
PG,
- In Theaters
- May 5, 2006 Wide
- On DVD
- Aug 15, 2006
- Studio
- New Line Cinema
Critic Reviews
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Dana Stevens, New York Times
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.
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Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
It 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.
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Susan Walker, Toronto Star
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.
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Claudia Puig, USA Today
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.
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Tom Keogh, Seattle Times
But while Hoot's pro-environment message to kids is certainly worthy, the unquestioning, pro-vigilante angle doesn't sit entirely well.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Luke Wilson
as Officer David Delinko
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Logan Lerman
as Roy Eberhardt
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Brie Larson
as Beatrice Leep
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Tim Blake Nelson
as Curly Branitt
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Cody Linley
as Mullet Fingers
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Neil Flynn
as Mr. Eberhardt
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Clark Gregg
as Chuck Muckle
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Kiersten Warren
as Mrs. Eberhardt
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Jessica Cauffiel
as Mother Paula/Kilmberly
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Dean Collins
as Garrett
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Eric Phillips
as Dana Matherson
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Robert Wagner
as Mayor Grandy
- Robert Donner
- Jimmy Buffett
