How many writers does it take to copy the main dynamic of Shrek and paste it into the already-overused animated template of anthropomorphic woodland animals versus cartoonish humans?

Seven, apparently. And three directors. Yet none of them has brought a single original idea to the table. As the first product of Sony Pictures' animation division, this represents a remarkably lazy effort.

Shrek – sorry, Boog – is a grizzly bear who lives like a pampered pet, having been raised from cubhood by park ranger Beth (Messing). Despite this rural upbringing, Boog has a distinctly big-city attitude, thanks to the vocal stylings of Martin Lawrence.

Three days before the hunting season begins, Boog frees a nutty mule deer - Elliot (Kutcher) - from the front of a truck belonging to a trigger-happy redneck (Gary Sinise).

That night, Elliot and his saviour celebrate by ransacking a mini-mart in a chocolate-fuelled frenzy. The next day, a public squabble with his fellow wrong-doer suggests that it's time for Boog to go back to nature.

Stranded in the wilderness with all the survival instincts of a sitting duck, Boog has no choice but to let Elliot show him the way home.

Most of the woodland creatures they come across on their journey are so irksome that you may feel like giving them both barrels long before the hunters arrive.

Billy Connolly's squirrel McSquizzy leads the sort of outfit that throws cones first and asks questions later; a working party of sneering beavers deserve to have their dam busted; and it turns out that Elliot was drummed out of his herd by bullying stag called Ian – maybe that's his problem, but his is one head you’d love to see above a mantelpiece.

As to the question of what bears do in the woods, toilet-wise – the matter is analysed in great detail. The answer may not be as straightforward as we once thought.

The action sugar-rushes are good while they last; not so the draggily predictable "I don't need you lot, leave me alone" scenes and the obligatory handful of mawkish songs.

As well as borrowing from Shrek, at least two moments are ripped off from the adventures of Wallace & Gromit, both involving rabbits (for some reason, bunnies are singled out for particularly rough treatment).

Fancy CG animation is no longer a novelty. Audiences expect something new. On that score, Open Season aims low... and misses the target.

Elliott Noble