Hedgehogs

Sporting a colorful palette and a familiar hero's journey, this animated adventure is far from outstanding, but it'll be fine for younger audiences who can't get enough of animal comedies. That said, let's get one key thing out of the way: Hedgehogs are nocturnal, which is just one of several fundamental truths about the animals that this movie gets wrong. They also can't throw their spines like porcupines. Of course, hedgehogs also don't speak, so maybe the filmmakers can be forgiven for stretching and changing the facts about the adorable animals.

Bobby's story is a clear mistaken-identity comedy, and his friendship with Hubert the pigeon is cute enough -- particularly when Hubert makes Bobby wings so he can fly with the rest of the birds. Where the story suffers -- and lags -- is in the various subplots involving evil, greedy humans and unnecessary romances (Bobby's hedgehog love interest even has "curly," fashionable spines that she doesn't raise during a fight, like the guys do!). And, as a villain, the angry badger (or whatever animal he's supposed to be) isn't all that frightening, but that's probably for the best. The movie is best when it concentrates on the importance of friendship and teamwork, but with so many excellent family-friendly animated movies available, this one is ultimately below par: It's fine to stream for a few laughs, but nothing you'd buy for your personal collection.