In the wilderness of super-cute CGI family films, Sony Animation's debut effort, Open Season (2006), can't always see the forest for the trees. Like Madagascar, The Wild, Shrek and many others, we're treated to a palette of detailed, colorful visuals... combined with a story that reads like it was finished during lunch break. That's about all it takes to satisfy most younger audiences---and don't get me wrong, I might've thought more of Open Season if I were part of the target demographic---but sadly, that's about all it brings to the table.

The recipe for "success": (1) Add a few one-dimensional characters to a standard buddy comedy/adventure. Ensure that kids know who the villain is by implying that he enjoys collecting animal trophies, driving recklessly and drinking beer; (2) Mix in an odd sense of cultural diversity by giving each supporting species a foreign accent; (3) Blend resulting mixture with plenty of bunny violence and a few fart jokes for comedic effect; and (4) Top off with a bland, uninspired alt-rock soundtrack.

Our story follows domesticated grizzly Boog (Martin Lawrence), a lovable oaf who's been reduced to performing in a circus-like show and begging for treats at home. His owner is Beth (Debra Messing), a perky park ranger who's unsure when to release Boog into the wild. When local hunter and all-around bad boy Shaw (Gary Sinise) shows up one morning to taunt the "girl scout", toting a freshly caught---but not quite dead---deer named Elliot (Ashton Kutcher), Boog reluctantly unties the one-antlered motormouth. Elliot returns the favor one evening by convincing the suburban grizzly to explore the outside world. After they trash a local convenience store, Beth sends the pair off via helicopter to live in a wooded area, away from the local hunting grounds. It's up to Boog and Elliot to find their way back home---but by the time they return, will they even want to stay?

On the surface, Open Season doesn't seem half bad; unfortunately, the relatively bland characters render everything else forgettable. Only our two heroes and park ranger Beth seem to have any discernable personalities, while everyone else is basically a cardboard cutout used for comic relief and/or half-baked dramatic effect. Most viewers will instantly feel a sense of déjà vu during certain stretches of Open Season; whether it's the Shrekness of Elliot---a near-match for the Donkey character---or Boog's "fish out of water" situation (used most recently in Madagascar and Over the Hedge, just to name a few), Open Season seems more like a collage of modern CGI films than a family feature capable of standing on its own two feet.

The voice acting is also hit-or-miss, though Lawrence and Kutcher manage to get some mileage out of their characters. Supporting roles handled by Billy Connolly (as the brash squirrel McSquizzy), Gary Sinise (as hunter Shaw) and Jon Favreau (as beaver-in-chief Reilly) are often solid enough, but most other characters come off as one-note racial stereotypes. The soundtrack (helmed by the usually-dependable Paul Westerberg of "The Replacements" fame) comes off flat during several key sequences, weakening the overall effect quite a bit. Had Open Season been tweaked in some of these areas, other minor shortcomings would've been easier to forget.

One thing can't be denied, though, and that's the fantastic animation on display, particularly the stunning backgrounds. Rendered almost like a stylized painting or a polished children's book, these lush landscapes blend well with the character animation, creating a strong atmosphere that helps keep our attention. Textures like fur, water and grass look especially convincing, particularly during a fast-paced river sequence halfway through this 86-minute adventure. Sadly, though, the highlights grow less and less apparent as the film bears on (no pun intended), ensuring that the colorful world created for Open Season probably won't stick in your mind long afterwards. Families may enjoy it the first time through, but it probably won't hold up over time.

Presented on DVD by Sony Entertainment, Open Season arrives on DVD in a solid one-disc package that supports the main feature well enough. The technical presentation stands out---at least in the visual department---while the included batch of bonus features should appeal to kids and adults alike. Though it may not be one worth adding to your permanent collection, there's enough here to warrant a closer look.

Presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the digitally-created Open Season looks as good as you'd expect from start to finish. The natural color palette is bold and bright, image detail is strong and there are no major digital problems to be found. Overall, fans of the film couldn't ask for much more from a standard definition DVD.

The audio, on the other hand, isn't quite as impressive. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround (English or French) and Spanish 2.0, Open Season features clear dialogue and occasionally inspired ventures into the surround channels. More often than not, though, the audio doesn't stray too far from the front speakers, while certain musical numbers felt unusually flat and weak. So while you'll find a few excuses to crank up the volume, the audio doesn't seem to be in the same league as the visual presentation. Optional subtitles during the main feature are offered in English, Spanish and French, as well as English Closed Captions.

Next up (and located on the main menu) is the all-new animated short "Boog and Elliot's Midnight Bun Run" (4:30, below left), which depicts our heroes looking to score baked goods from the camper guarded by Mr. Weenie. Featuring the same character voices and colorful animation as the main feature, those who enjoyed Open Season will want to check this one out. We also get a pair of Deleted Scenes ("Forest 102" and "Facial Tick", 2:04 total) presented in storyboard form; like the all-new short, they're decent enough and worth watching.

Also included is a pair of featurettes, leading off with "Behind the Trees" (15:12), a general behind-the-scenes piece featuring movie clips and interviews with members of the cast and crew. This occasionally drifts into promotional "back-patting" territory, but the crew interviews and production footage make it worth watching. "The Voices Behind the Stars" (7:35, above right) also speeds along nicely, peppered with footage of the voice actors behind the mic and speaking retrospectively.

A collection of minor extras closes things out, including a clip-heavy Music Video by Deathray, a few Sneak Peeks for the upcoming animated film Surf's Up, a trio of Activities (including an interesting voice-over demo and a scene deconstruction), a few "Ringtale" Promotional Cartoons and a nice Still Gallery for the main feature. Eagle-eyed viewers should probably be able to dig up a few Easter Eggs as well. Overall, it's a lightweight but interesting batch of bonus features that fans of all ages should enjoy.

Watchable but ultimately forgettable, animated films like Open Season remind us that eye-catching visuals aren't strong enough to carry a worn-out story. This lightweight adventure occasionally offers a few inspired moments, but those looking for interesting characters and great music will walk away disappointed. Sony's DVD presentation is solid enough, serving up a decent technical presentation (slightly bogged down by the audio mix) and an assortment of bonus features that fans should enjoy. Younger viewers may want to check Open Season out more than once, but most families will be satisfied with a weekend viewing. Rent It.