Review of Alpha and Omega (2010) by Chris S — 18 Jun 2011

Is it just me or is it weird seeing Lionsgate distribute an animated film theatrically? Lionsgate is pretty much known for distributing R-rated horror (it's responsible for both Saw and Hostel) and even some martial arts flicks (The Forbidden Kingdom and The Transporter series). While they have released animated films in the past like Happily N'Ever After and family films such as Akeelah and the Bee, Alpha and Omega still feels like a really awkward fit for the studio. The problem with animated films Lionsgate releases is that they always have this direct to DVD quality to them and that is most likely the first thing you'll notice about Alpha and Omega.

There are so many animated films out there that are so completely dull, lifeless, and lacking emotion and inspiration. Alpha and Omega is all of these things and corny right from the starting line. Animals usually fall into a certain rank; the alpha is at the top while the omega picks up the scraps at the bottom. The alpha tends to be the leaders, get to eat first, have choice of prey, choose their mates, etc. The omegas are the followers and eat last. In Alpha and Omega, the alpha wolves are apparently like flashy jocks and the omega wolves are the carefree frat boys who care about nothing more than having fun. You know those stupid dance-off movies? "I'm going to break-dance with a poor girl even if you don't like it to help battle your brain cancer and save that burning orphanage!" This is kind of like that. An alpha never associates itself with an omega! Well grandpa, get off your dinosaur because they do now.

The lameness doesn't stop there though. There's a slow motion sequence at the beginning of the movie that seems to sort of spoof The Matrix except it's two wolves. That can talk. Defying gravity. For no reason. The jokes are beyond stale, as well. There's a scene where a hunt for caribou goes wrong and the wolves are on the receiving end of a caribou stampede. After it dies down, the alpha wolves are getting the short end of the stick and the omega wolves step in to break up the scuffle. At one point, an omega wolf named Humphrey (Justin Long) points out that the caribou are laughing at them. A group of caribou is shown flashing their tales at the wolves to which Humphrey replies, "That's a moon even I don't want to howl at." Speaking of Humphrey, the entire film seems to be an excuse for him to complain about his butt or his tail or anything in that general vicinity.

Canada is also apparently a place to find empty tree carcasses at the most convenient at times. Hollowed-out tree trunks are used as luges a good half a dozen times in the movie and are usually the reason a catastrophe is avoided. The musical segments in the film came off as lazy. Whenever a wolf howls at the moon they sing, but there are never any lyrics. It's nothing more than a variation of "ooo's". Throw in the weird rip-off instrumentals from Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and you've got something really peculiar on your hands. The French-Canadian goose who's obsessed with golf and his duck caddy that is also a chiropractor came off as a little more than unnecessary. They're given an ounce of character and a few quirks and they do nothing more then tell the main characters information they probably could've figured out on their own. The whole experience is just very disheartening.

Want to hear something that's really going to make this depressing? This is Dennis Hopper's last film. His final role was wasted on a cranky wolf with back problems. If it wasn't for the fact that this was labeled as his last role or the dedication at the end of the movie, this lifeless character wouldn't be memorable at all.

Alpha and Omega is a pretty forgettable animated feature. The animation is underwhelming, the voice cast is fairly lifeless (but who can blame them with the material they were given?), and the storyline is really just run-of-the-mill fluff. It's also kind of a travesty that this movie has to be labeled as Dennis Hopper's last performance. While this may be fun for some children, it'll be a lethargic trip for adults. I honestly think my eyebrow was cocked for the entire hour and a half duration.