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 Animated Family Comedy The Great Escape chicken style....fly or fry   |
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Obviously, by now you probably realize that it would be a good idea to see THE GREAT ESCAPE before seeing CHICKEN RUN. The film is rife with references to this classic escape movie. The hen, Ginger (Julia Sawalha), the ringleader, the McQueen role, bounces her ball in the cooler. The RAF chief rooster, Fowler (Benjamin Whitrow) is the one in charge much like James Donald, he is the staunch military type. Stalag 17 is Coop 17. Mrs Tweedy (Miranda Richardson) struts and acts like the Commandant (Hannes Messemer). We have takeoffs on all the characters from THE GREAT ESCAPE, such as "The Scrounger, The Tunnel King, The Mole" et cetra. Even some of the music is reminiscent of this classic. Anyway enough about comparisons. This is just a plain fun movie to watch. Yes, even the children will like it as well. The animation of Aardman Studios is beautifully done thanks to co-directors and pioneer animators, Peter Lord and Nick Park. I really have nothing bad to say about this film. It was funny, entertaining, enchanting, a little educational but most of all fun to watch. Is that not what we want in a film? I just hope that this Dreamworks film will not suffer because it does not have that dreaded Walt Disney presents in front of it. For all of you who complain that there are not enough children or family films to see, please give non Disney films a chance will you. This film deserves support. The film starts with a view of barbed wire fences, vicious guard dogs and prisoner of war type cabins all lined up in rolls. This is the Tweedy Egg farm, a place where Ginger is trying to escape with everyone. She is making such an attempt but the dogs catch her. "No one escapes From Tweedy Farms." It's the cooler or coal bin for her. The next while of the film time is spent showing us various escape attempts planned by the chickens. Mr. Tweedy, who is not to quick on the uptake, is the only one who suspects the chickens are plotting to escape. It is a humourous cat and mouse game that Ginger plays with him. When he is aboput to catch them the hens all look at him with those silly grins that will make you giggle. The humour does take a turn for a few minutes to show the viewer that there is a real need to escape. During role call one morning we get to see the serious side of the hen's plight. One of the hens has failed to meet the egg quota. Mr Tweedy is ordered by Mrs. Tweedy to take the slacker hen away. In shadows we see the execution of the hen and subsequent dinner table leftovers. This of course sets Ginger to planning even more fierce to escape. She seeks the aid of two rats who supply her with needed materials. They are "The Scrounger" for this film. The problem is they want eggs but the hens can only pay in chicken feed. So co-operation is in short supply. Ginger realizes that they can not make it by going under the wire, so, they have to make it ovewr the wire. The others laugh at her and tell her it is impossible and that they might as well consign themselves to the the reality of their fate.   "So if getting stuffed, plucked and roasted is good enough for you, then fine."    One day while resigning herself to failure a startling thing happens. A rooster flying through the air ends up in the camp wounding it's Wing. This is Rocky, The Free Roam Ranger (Mel Gibson). Rocky is from America, the land of the free as he likes to point out. It is quickly clear to the audience that Rocky is a huckster with a secret. If the hens hide him from the circus people who are trying to find him, he tells them he will teach them to fly. He keeps true to his word and enlists the aid of the rats to whom he promises to give the eggs he lays. He pretends to teach them giving them hope as well as fun times. He knows that he can not hope to suceed. Mrs. Tweedy, in the meantime is sick and tired of making ends meet and she decides on her new plan. She astounds the hen's when instead of penalizing the slacker hens she says they need to be fed more. Her plan is Chicken pies made in her new chicken pie making machines. It just requires gravy, vegetables and our little cast members. There is an excellent bit when Ginger is chosen to be the first candidate and is rescued by Rocky. One night Rocky disappears and they find out why. This leads to the hens fighting with each other until Fowler comes to the rescue with a picture and plans to build a plane. Will they suceed? Will the plane be built? Will Rocky return? Will Mrs. Tweedy get her chicken pies? Run to the theatre to see a wonderful daring escape climax that is worthY of Indianna Jones himself. See the tragic fate of The Tweedys. If the hens do escape, the real world is still out there. What happens to them? Where will they go? Buy a drink and bag of popcorn sit back and find out the answers yourself at a screening of CHICKEN RUN. You and the children will see the proof that bravery comes in all forms...even feathered. PS... Stick it out through the credits because some things go on all the way to the end. You leave early you miss those little extras that directors are prone to reward credit readers with. I went to it a second time with my daughter and two nieces and I thoroughly enjoyed it again. |
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Mel Gibson .... Rocky the Rooster, Julia Sawalha .... Ginger, Miranda Richardson .... Mrs. Tweedy, Benjamin Whitrow .... Fowler Tony Haygarth .... Mr.Tweedy, Jane Horrocks .... Baba Imelda Staunton .... Bunty, Benjamin Whitrow .... Fowler |
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RATING CANADA... Rated Family |
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vjm@metrocity.com
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