Entertainment

11:03 AM CDT on Tuesday, May 2, 2006

Hoodwinked

B+

Starring the voices of Glenn Close, Anne Hathaway, Jim Belushi, Patrick Warburton, Xzibit, David Ogden Stiers, Andy Dick and Anthony Anderson. Directed by Cory Edwards, Tony Leech and Todd Edwards. PG. 81 mins. $29.95

RASHO-GIRL: Who would have thought that Rashômon, the art film that changes what you think about an event by describing what led up to it from different perspectives, could be used to comic effect? But here you go with the story of Red Riding Hood told alternately from the point of view of Red, the Wolf, the Woodcutter and Granny. Throw in a fast-talking squirrel and a funny bunny, and the crime isn't as clear as it first seems.

FAIRY-TALE FUNNIES: Poking fun at fairy-tale characters isn't new, but the jokes are fresh and fun. (Keep an eye on those three little pigs.) And you'll love Benjy Gaither's goat with the spell that makes him sing everything he says. It's a promising debut for writer and director brothers Cory and Todd Edwards and the new Weinstein Co.

BEST EXTRAS: The music video "Critters Have Feelings" doesn't have the punch of Shrek's karaoke extra. But it's cute. And some of the deleted scenes, especially one in which Red delivers a crumb to an ant named Adam Ant, are good for a giggle.

BOTTOM LINE: Catch it before the sequel comes out.

Nancy Churnin