The Year of the Squirrel

Now, I hate to disagree with the Chinese (as I am surrounded by them in Richmond), but this is not the Year of the Dog. This is the Year of the Squirrel. Specifically, the animated squirrel. No fewer than five films have been made this year that feature a CGI squirrel, usually hyperactive.

Don't believe me? Think I'm some sort of delusional moron going on an anti-squirrel vendetta based on a childhood trauma involving peanuts and an umbrella? Well here's some proof for all you nay-sayers out there. Stop saying nay!

First there was Scrat (above right), from Ice Age 2. He was voiced by the director, Chris Wedge, and was one of the reasons the movie did so well.

Then there was Twitchy (second right), the fast-talking photographer from Hoodwinked. He was also voiced by the films' director Cory Edwards.

Then there came Benny (centre right) in The Wild. He was voiced by Jim Belushi, and played the part of the best friend to a lion. Talk about your mismatched buddy movie.

Following almost immediately was Dreamworks' Over The Hedge (which is next on my list to review), with Hammy (Steve Carell), the hyper helper to the group (fourth right).

And coming up soon is Open Season, about a tamed bear (Martin Lawrence) and a deer (Ashton Kutcher) who are surviving in the woods. They encounter this batch of surly looking characters in a tree (below right).

So there you have it. This year we will be bombarded by a buttload of squirrels. Maybe I should be getting in on the ground floor on this bonanza and invest in some sort of plush squirrel company before the fad is over and dogs or cats take over again as top animal for the kiddies affections. I remember just a while ago, everybody wanted a hippopotamus for Christmas, and that was just because of one Telus ad. Imagine the rush on squirrel merchandise there should be from five films full of them. Do you hear me Corparate America? Of course you don't. But you're missing out on a golden opportunity here and who knows when squirrels will be back in fashion again. Maybe in 12 years, when the Year of the Squirrel comes round again.