Plot: What’s it about?
With the world at peace, young Red has ventured off to train with the Sisters of the Hood, a covert group that can help her hone her warrior skills. But the peace doesn’t last, as a wicked witch has stirred up trouble and taken two young children prisoner, the poor little Hansel and Gretel. While Red has learned some of the lessons needed to put her lone wolf style behind her, she has to cut it short to lend a hand to the Happily Ever After Agency. After all, two children being kidnapped and not rescued violates the happy ending clause in serious fashion. So Red returns and joins forces with her old friends Flippers, Wolf, Twitchy, and of course Granny, as well as some new partners. But as usual, things never run as planned and the group has trouble working as a unit, which endangers the entire mission. Can Red and the others put their personal issues aside and learn to work as a cohesive team, or will there be no happy ending this time?
As someone who enjoyed Hoodwinked more than most, I looked forward to this sequel. The critical reaction to Hoodwinked Too wasn’t great, but I think most critics were overly harsh in their assessments. While not on the same level as Pixar’s output, this movie was a fun, brisk experience. The animation looks better this time around, the attitude is amped up, and while inconsistent, the humor is solid. I do think some restraint in regard to rapid fire pop culture references could have helped a lot, as the movie does throw out a lot of them and at a frenetic clip. But a good amount of the jokes work, thanks in part to a great cast that includes several returning folks, as well as some impressive newcomers. So a lot of the material works better than it should, thanks to the cast. I also loved the barbs aimed at Disney, as they’re razor sharp and on point. This one is safe for children, but adults are going to pick up on layers of humor that the kiddies will miss. Hoodwinked Too is still more Shrek than Toy Story of course, but if you like an edge with your animation, the film is worth a look.
Video: How does it look?
Hoodwinked Too: Hood vs. Evil is presented in 1.78:1 widescreen. As with most CGI animated films, the visuals here look excellent in high definition. All of the subtle details in the animation shine through, so you’ll probably rewind to check out small touches you missed the first time. The image has beautiful colors, with bright and vivid hues, while black levels are consistent and never obscure detail. This one is a feast for the eyes, just a terrific visual effort.
Audio: How does it sound?
A DTS HD 5.1 soundtrack is on deck and this movie packs a nice punch. The surrounds are put to good use often, with frequent action scenes to deliver some power. You won’t confuse this for a summer popcorn action flick, but there is ample power and presence when needed. The music also kicks in some great power, so when the tunes arise, this soundtrack makes sure they sound as good as possible. Amid all this action however, the vocals remain clear and clean, which is crucial. So a better than expected track that has some great moments. This disc also includes English and Spanish subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
In addition to a DVD version of the movie, this release also houses some storyboard sequences, three music videos, production artwork, and a look at the voice cast of Hoodwinked Too.
