This is a movie for both children and adults. Unlike Pokemon, Chicken Run is a film that will easily be understood by all who watch it. This film is by the same creators of "Wallace and Gromitt", and equally entertaining. The movie starts out on a dark night on an egg farm in rural England, much likened to a sweatshop where one of the main characters, Ginger, a hen enslaved on the farm, is trying to make an escape, however, this, like all of Ginger's and the other chickens' plans are ill fated and Ginger winds up in the farm's version of "solitary confinement", the coal bin. This doesn't break Ginger's or the rest of the hens' spirit; in fact it is strengthened when on of the hens is "terminated" by the owner, Mrs. Tweedy, for not meeting her egg quota. The hens are more determined than ever to leave the confines of Hen House 13. Things don't get interesting for them until a dashing American rooster flies, yes flies, into the coop and into the hearts of many of the hens, including Babs, the knit-wit friend of Ginger. Amazed at his ability to fly, the hens agree to keep Rocky's (the rooster portrayed by Mel Gibson ) escape from the local carnival under wraps in exchange for flying lessons and help in escaping. The hens begin a rigorous training program, boot camp style with a minor in kung foo. Everyone is happy to go along with the program except Ginger, who is a bit suspicious of Rocky's methods and has yet to see him fly.
All seems to be going well, but little do the chickens know that their cruel owner and her husband are plotting to turn the chickens from egg producers to chicken pies with the help of a pie machine. They find out when Mr. Tweedy selects a chicken (Ginger no doubt) to participate in the inaugural run of the pie machine. Rocky then rushes to her aid and is sucked into the machine. The two chickens foul the plan for chicken pies, for now and rush back to inform the others of the sinister plan in store for them. They decide that now is as good a time as any to for them to fly the coop. Problem is that Rocky has disappeared and the only thing left is a clue for the hens that turns out to confirm what Ginger has known all along, that Rocky, as well as the other chickens cannot fly and the fact that chicken are flightless birds finally starts to hit home with them. Anyway, the girls take matters into their own hands and make a break for it by developing their own flying machine. How they power and fly it turns out to be one of the highlights of the story and very entertaining. All I will say is that it is a happy ending and a delight for all to watch. Infact, I had to see it twice because the first time I saw it in the theaters, I could barely hear what was going on due to all the laughter. It is a hilarious movie and the claymation was of excellent quality.
Billz Movie Worthiness Scale: B
Billz Movie Worthiness Scale Values:
A = movie tickets and popcorn for 2 (about $40)
B = buy the DVD when it comes out ($25)
C = rent it
D = wait for it to be on cable/pay TV
E = wait for it to be on regular TV
