Its difficult to watch the new family film Hoot without comparing it to Holes. Besides the obvious similarity in names, both were based on popular childrens books, revolve around sweet-faced boys in their mid-teens who are bullied, present bumbling redneck adults in authority positions, and include valuable treasures hidden inside holes in the ground. Both films also feature actor Tim Blake Nelson in virtually identical supporting roles.

Also like Holes, the New Line Cinema film Hoot, directed by Wil Shriner and based on the Newbery-Award-winning novel by Carl Hiaassen, is a thoroughly enjoyable romp for children and a mildly entertaining experience for the adults who accompany them to the theater. While some children might be surprised at plot developments, few adults will be blindsided as events unfold.

Filmed in Florida during Hurricane Katrina (and some less severe weather) during the summer of 2005, the environmentally themed movie captures the beauty of imaginary Coconut Cove. Three teenagers (Logan Lerman, Brie Larson, and Cody Linley) use vandalism, fear tactics, pranks, and even assault to help save a population of endangered owls escape certain death from the construction of a new pancake house.

Caring about the environment links the three dissimilar teens, and helps the younger audience members differentiate between the good characters and the bad. Just to set the record straight, good characters try to save the cute little owls while bad characters try to save the land development deal. Its agreed among the entire town, however, that everyone (good and bad) likes pancakes.

Family film staples, including greedy land developers, clumsy cops, clueless parents, and ignorant bullies populate this small coastal town. Luke Wilson takes a break from date films to star as an inept policeman who longs to be a detective. Jimmy Buffett provided five new songs for the soundtrack and co-produced the film; in addition, he plays a compassionate teacher at the middle school who adds a breath of fresh ocean air to some of the stale stereotypes.

Hoot is an agreeable family film that you can all watch together, although afterwards you might want to tell your children that in real life spray paint and snakes might actually create more problems than they solve. One thing you wont have to do when this PG movie is over is blushingly explain off-color language. This owl is screechy clean.

Copyright 2006 Leslie Halpern