Open Season
Open Season (2006) is a computer-animated adventure comedy film that follows Boog, a domesticated grizzly bear, whose comfortable life with his owner, Ranger Beth, is disrupted after an encounter with a one-antlered mule deer named Elliot. After a series of misadventures, Boog and Elliot find themselves stranded in the wilderness just three days before the start of hunting season. The film chronicles their journey to rally other forest animals and protect themselves from hunters, all while Boog learns to adapt to the wild and navigate an unlikely friendship with Elliot. Aimed primarily at a family audience, the movie explores themes of friendship, self-reliance, and coexistence, featuring slapstick comedy and moments of peril. The film is rated PG for rude humor, mild action, and brief language.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe movie does not contain explicit or canonical LGBTQ+ characters or themes. However, some fan interpretations and very mild implied jokes exist, which some viewers might perceive as having queer undertones. One of the film's directors, Roger Allers, is openly gay and married to a man, which is external to the film's direct content.
Fan communities have discussed potential 'gay polyamorous throppple' interpretations regarding the characters Boog, Elliot, and Mr. Weenie, despite Elliot having a female love interest, Giselle. Additionally, there is a joke where Boog and Elliot are referred to as 'partners' in a personal relationship sense, played for comedic misunderstanding rather than explicit romantic intent.
Violence
MediumOpen Season features frequent slapstick violence and cartoonish action, with animals and hunters engaging in conflict. While there is property damage and threats with weapons, the violence is generally comical and lacks gore or severe injury, though some scenes may be intense for younger children.
During the climax, animals launch a 'war' against hunters, using tactics such as skunk spray, throwing objects, and detonating a propane tank, causing trucks to explode. The main antagonist, Shaw, attacks Boog with a knife, and Boog retaliates with a golf club. Elliot takes a shot from Shaw's gun meant for Boog, resulting in Elliot losing his other antler, but he ultimately survives.
Profanity
MediumThe movie contains brief and mild language, primarily consisting of rude humor and occasional, less offensive terms. It avoids strong or frequent explicit profanity.
The MPAA rating explicitly mentions 'brief language'. Christian parental reviews note that characters use terms like 'crappin'' and engage in rude bathroom humor, which may be a concern for some parents.
Substance Use
MediumThe film depicts characters consuming substances, notably portraying coffee and chocolate as having an addictive and inebriating effect on animals. Additionally, one human character is shown smoking.
Boog becomes 'intoxicated with sugar' after consuming excessive confectionery and soft drinks in a convenience store, appearing to be drunk. The antagonist, Shaw, is seen smoking during the movie.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe movie includes several moments of peril and suspense that could be frightening or intense for younger viewers, despite the overall comedic tone. These include threats from hunters and emotionally charged situations.
The character Shaw is depicted as a 'very scary looking man, large, hairy, big mouth with broken teeth and he's always carrying a large rifle.' A scene where Boog and Elliot fight backstage appears to the audience as if 'Boog is killing Elliot,' causing panic and screaming. Boog is also shown to be very frightened when abandoned in the unfamiliar wilderness.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe film features elements of disrespect and rebellion, particularly in the behavior of the animal characters. Boog and Elliot engage in irresponsible actions and the animals collectively rebel against the human hunters.
Boog and Elliot demonstrate 'irresponsible behavior' by breaking into and trashing a convenience store. The entire animal community orchestrates a 'revolution against the hunters,' employing various pranks and attacks to drive them out of the forest. Elliot often exhibits a disregard for rules and Boog's wishes, for example, insisting on becoming 'partners' despite Boog's initial reluctance.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowThe film includes mild suggestive humor and focuses on a heterosexual romantic interest for one of the main characters. No explicit sexual acts or graphic nudity are present.
Elliot develops a crush on Giselle, a female mule deer, and pursues a romantic relationship with her throughout the film. There are instances of mild sexual humor, described by the MPAA as 'mild sexual humor' in its rating justification.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere is no identifiable content related to witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic rituals, demons, spells, or supernatural elements in 'Open Season (2006)'. The narrative is grounded in animal-human conflict and natural settings.
The film's plot centers on a domesticated bear adapting to the wilderness and animals defending themselves from hunters, with no inclusion of magical or occult themes.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe movie does not contain any explicit anti-Christian themes, mockery, or sacrilegious content. Christian reviews note a 'strong moral worldview' that promotes friendship and 'validating God's natural order of things'.
Movieguide, a Christian review site, highlighted that the film promotes positive values like friendship and acknowledges the natural order of the wild. There are no scenes or dialogue that could be interpreted as being critical of Christianity.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
The film is recommended for children aged 6 and older. The MPAA rated Open Season PG for rude humor, mild action, and brief language. Parental guidance is suggested for children under 8 due to slapstick violence, moments of peril from hunters, and some crude humor that might be intense or misunderstood by very young or sensitive viewers.
Additional Notes
Some reviews indicate that while the film has positive messages about friendship and teamwork, its humor can skew towards slapstick and mild potty jokes, and its overall depth might be limited compared to other animated films. The movie's stance is largely anti-hunting, which some viewers may find heavy-handed.
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