The cinematic equivalent to a Jimmy Buffett concert aimed squarely at children and youth.

| Original Score: 3.0/4.0 | Sep 11, 2020

Soporific effort.

| Original Score: C | Feb 29, 2016

Promoting environmental conservation, this bland family film never generates much interest in either its human or animal participants.

Full Review | Jul 23, 2008

A safe, slight film that doesn't possess the chaotic hilarity I associate with Carl Hiaasen's best writing.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Apr 8, 2007

The only highlight is a sequence of outstanding cinematography in Florida's Everglades. Oh, and there's one funny joke. But that doesn't make this film a hoot at all.

| Original Score: 1/4 | Sep 25, 2006

It's hard to hate a movie that essentially just wants to teach kids to respect the environment especially when that lesson is imparted in such an upbeat manner. But Hoot is also too bland and clumsy to wholeheartedly embrace.

| Jul 13, 2006

Hoot in retrospect won't really offer your children anything they haven't already seen, and it's just another preachy environmental film that talks down to them. Have you seen Akeelah and the Bee?

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | May 23, 2006

The teen actors, the humor and the inspiring footage of Florida's unique landscape make Hoot worthwhile, and kids should enjoy it.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | May 20, 2006

The most important thing to know...is that it's co-produced by Jimmy Buffett, who also appears in a small role and provides new music for the soundtrack.

Full Review | May 19, 2006

The story is contrived, the transitions are clumsy, and much of the acting is weak.

| May 18, 2006

The least irritating adult in sight is also the least relevant: Officer Delinko (amiable Luke Wilson) tries to help the kids.

| May 13, 2006

Parents may role their eyes more than once at this flightless film.

| Original Score: 2/5 | May 13, 2006

This sweet-natured but plodding adaptation of a young-adult novel by Carl Hiaasen could have used a little less broad satire of corporate greed and a few more, well, owls. The critters peep from their burrows for only a few brief moments.

Full Review | May 13, 2006

Younger kids will find the pranks and schemes funny, while the enviro-activist theme is an important message to which they may just latch on. The eco-responsibility part, not the venomous snake part, one hopes.

| Original Score: 3/4 | May 13, 2006

An environmentally conscious Newbery Honor novel has been turned into a disappointing and uninspired movie.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | May 12, 2006

The three leads are likable, but they can't overcome a slapdash story or some wild overacting by the likes of Luke Wilson, Tim Blake Nelson, Neil Flynn and Clark Gregg.

| Original Score: 2/5 | May 12, 2006

It's hard to give a hoot about Roy or any of his furtive feathered friends when they're surrounded by a nest of dreary cliches.

| Original Score: 1/4 | May 11, 2006

Gets points for sweetness and a nice message, but that's all, folks

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10 | May 9, 2006

Shriner just doesn't have the skills yet to turn lightweight scuffle into heavyweight preaching without bringing down the whole production.

| Original Score: C+ | May 8, 2006

The owls are awfully cute. The eco message is awfully sincere. Beyond that, you probably won't give much of a "Hoot" about this mediocre family movie.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | May 8, 2006