"Hoodwinked" is a clever and brainy animated film that lampoons the classic fairy tale, Little Red Riding Hood. This tale has been fertile ground for many writers and filmmakers to parody. The "Politically Correct Fairy Tales" book contains a hysterical feminist take on the story called "Red Riding Hood." The film "Freeway" told a hilarious trailer trash version of it and "In the Company of Wolves" offered a horror version complete with a werewolf.

The Wolf (Patrick Warburton) is a sarcastic journalist who suspects that Red may be involved in selling illegal or stolen goods. The Grandmother (Glenn Close) leads a double life. She seems to be a typical domestic grandma but she secretly loves to compete in extreme sports.

The story begins where the traditional fairy tale usually ends. The police arrive at Grandma's house to investigate a domestic disturbance. The Woodsman is charged with wielding an axe without a license, and the Wolf is charged with breaking and entering.

The police chief thinks he has the whole case figured out, but each character tells a competing version of the story that makes him or her look good.

The film is initially like an update of "Rashoman" because if offers different versions of a story that makes viewers question the existence of an objective reality. But the story eventually becomes more traditional so that it can deliver a happy ending.

It pays homage to one of my favorite films, "The Wizard of Oz." In several of the competing narratives the wolf yells out to Red, "I'll get you and your little granny too." Also there is a scene in which Grandma, the Wolf and The Woodsman are about to rescue Dorothy and they are positioned exactly like the lion, scarecrow and tin man in a parallel scene from the classic.

Made on a comparatively low budget, "Hoodwinked" has fine computer animation and an amusing script. It's not memorable, as the best Disney or Pixar features are, but is quite imaginative. "Hoodwinked" begins to run out of steam and fresh ideas towards the end. But overall it’s a surprisingly entertaining children's film that many adults will also enjoy.