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.

It would be a nice little family film if not for the fact that the young heroes commit felonies in the name of saving the environment.

Endangered as they are, burrowing owls will be disappointed to learn that their cause has been hitched to a movie with little entertainment value, let alone credible strategies to save their environment.

There is nothing objectionable in this family film, but it doesn't seem to appreciate the intelligence and savvy of its youthful audience. Kids can spot a silly stereotypical character as fast as the rest of us.

But while Hoot's pro-environment message to kids is certainly worthy, the unquestioning, pro-vigilante angle doesn't sit entirely well.

Fun to watch although falling short of a real hoot, this latest in a barrage of family movies largely succeeds at keeping the kiddies entertained and their parents from nodding off.

Soporific effort.

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

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

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.

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.

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?

it was okay. it wasnt bad but it was great. nothing really amazing or great about it. C

A great film for kids! Mildly recommendable for adults, but jut fine for teens that have nothing better to do! It has heart!

A cheesy kid's movie. Save the owls!

Cute little film.