Open Season 2 is the straight to DVD sequel to the hit 2006 Ashton Kutcher (Elliot)/Martin Lawrence (Boog) vehicle. This time the lovable Elliot (now voiced by Joel McHale of "The Soup" fame) has fallen madly in love with Giselle (Jane Krakowski) and has decided to take that life changing leap into marriage. The trip down the aisle, however, is complicated by the fact that Mr. Weenie (Cody Cameron) gets kidnapped by a bunch of household pets determined to return Mr. Weenie to his owner. Elliot, his best friend Boog (Mike Epps), and the rest of the woodland creatures launch a full scale rescue mission and end up deep in the heart of enemy territory. The household pets led by Fifi (a brilliantly cast Crispin Glover) refuse to go down without a fight and the ensuing chaos is the meat and potatoes of Open Season 2.

       Let me tell you what impressed me about this flick: The Cast. Although Joel McHale did seem to be attempting to conjure up his best Kutcher voice and Mike Epps is not really as good a voice talent as Martin Lawrence was in the original, the cast still has just enough flavor to make it work. Jane Krakowski reprises her role as Giselle and shines in it. She portrays in her voicing of this character just the right amount of sass and the perfect sprinkle of sweet sincerity when necessary. What dazzled me about this cast was the choice of Crispin Glover for the role of the take charge leader of the household pets, Fifi. Seriously, folks, CRISPIN GLOVER as a fluffed up fancy high society poodle with a bit of a dark side? Sheer brilliance, just don’t call this poodle a chicken (and that is how you reference Back To The Future)!

       The story here wasn’t exactly as strong as the one in the first, but considering this film obviously caters to to youngens, that fact is inconsequential. There are plenty of elements within that will keep the kiddies entertained for a good hour and a half. You’ve got your standard fart jokes and burps and people/animals getting conked on the head with various objects and some high flying animal hijinx peppered in for a bit of an extra punch (Wait, this sounds like every adult comedy). Also, the storyline itself is easy to follow and will surely keep the young minds interested enough to follow along somewhat intently.

       As standard animation fare goes, this one is not as "full" so to speak as something like Hoodwinked or Happily Never After or Over The Hedge, but it still puts forth a strong enough effort to be enjoyable. It doesn’t exactly pander to an adult audience as well as some that I just mentioned in that you won’t see it packing itself with hidden comedic innuendos and pop culture references that mainly only adults would understand, but it IS a straight to DVD sequel after all. Overall this is a fun flick to enjoy with the kids on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I am going to give her a big old 3 out 5 stars, Enjoy!