2000, Aardman
Claymation
Rating: PG
Approx. 83 mins.
THE STORY:
Ginger and the other chickens on the Tweedy egg farm live in fear of the day they cease laying and become dinner. They have tried almost every manner of escape, but have had no success. Then one day, Rocky the Rooster drops from the sky and the hens have new hope: Rocky will teach them to fly.
Rocky puts them through a rigorous training program, but they don't seem to be making any progress. The urgency of their quest intensifies when they realize that Mrs. Tweedy plans to turn them all into chicken pies. Unfortunately, just as they are at their most desperate, Ginger-- who has developed returned feelings for Rocky-- discovers that Rocky's 'flying' is nothing more than being shot out of a cannon. He disappears in shame, leaving the hens once again to their own resources.
Fortunately, Ginger has the inspiration for one final escape attempt, and the other hens have the skills to make it a reality. Just as they prepare to flee, Rocky returns to help them succeed and punish Mrs. Tweedy.
Rocky puts them through a rigorous training program, but they don't seem to be making any progress. The urgency of their quest intensifies when they realize that Mrs. Tweedy plans to turn them all into chicken pies. Unfortunately, just as they are at their most desperate, Ginger-- who has developed returned feelings for Rocky-- discovers that Rocky's 'flying' is nothing more than being shot out of a cannon. He disappears in shame, leaving the hens once again to their own resources.
Fortunately, Ginger has the inspiration for one final escape attempt, and the other hens have the skills to make it a reality. Just as they prepare to flee, Rocky returns to help them succeed and punish Mrs. Tweedy.
QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:
- butt
- stupid
- shut up
- over-sexed
- idiot
- lummox
VIOLENCE:
- a chicken has its head cut off (off screen, but not subtle)
- lots of near-death experiences for the chickens and Mrs. Tweedy
- shooting, explosions
- the central conceit revolves around imminent, gruesome death
TEACHING POINTS:
- Honesty is the best policy
- If at first you don't succeed try, try again
THE UPSHOT:
The adults in the room were big Aardman fans and really enjoyed it. The 5 year-old in the room also enjoyed it, but not as much and for different reasons. The hens look silly and there is a lot of slapstick crashing into things. And it all gets resolved with a love story and a happy ending.
Even so, this really is not suitable for younger kids. The humour is too sophisticated, the language a bit mature at times, and the story is just plain dark when you get down to it. If your kids do not know where their food comes from or do not like to be reminded, then this is just not the film to show them. But it is a film to pop in after they have gone to bed.
Even so, this really is not suitable for younger kids. The humour is too sophisticated, the language a bit mature at times, and the story is just plain dark when you get down to it. If your kids do not know where their food comes from or do not like to be reminded, then this is just not the film to show them. But it is a film to pop in after they have gone to bed.
3.5/5
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