"Chicken Run" -- Poultry in Motion by Homer Yen (c) 2000
"Chicken Run," a fanciful tale about chickens desperate to escape captivity, is innovative and clever and is one of the most unique looking films this year. On the Tweedy Chicken Farm, life is cruel and laborious. These chickens live in a setting that's reminiscent of a World War II concentration camp. The ground is muddied, the area is encircled by barbed wire, and the perimeter is constantly patrolled by Mr. Tweedy (voiced by Tony Haygarth) and his two snarling guard dogs. Worse, the bitter Mrs. Tweedy (voiced by Miranda Richardson) oversees the farm. She closely examines her production report every week. And, if a chicken doesn't lay enough eggs, she takes the underachiever to the chopping block.
Ginger (voiced by Julia Sawalha), the plucky leader, knows that they'll all meet the same fate sooner or later. She moons about freedom and the feeling of lush grass under her three-toed feet. She presses everyone to think about escape. But all attempts, which include using a spoon to dig under a fence and using an eggbeater to drill a tunnel, meet with failure. Of course, she could probably escape on her own. But the trick is to rescue the entire lot. That's no small feat, but these concepts of selflessness, charity and teamwork are the underpinnings that make this a heartwarming film.
Ginger's prayers may be answered when Rocky Rooster (voiced by Mel Gibson) lands in the chicken farm. She marvels at his ability to 'fly' and believes that flight offers the best chance of escape. She hopes that he'll teach them but finds it difficult to establish a working relationship with the cocky rooster. He seems more interested in socializing and boasting and is reluctant to help. However, after considerable duress, Rocky agrees to Ginger's request.
The ensuing sequences are hilarious as the chickens engage in calisthenics, practice martial arts, and attempt to fly by leaping off rooftops. But lack of progress begins to arouse the suspicion of some others. Ginger, however, clings on to hope. "The chances of us escaping are a million to one," says one of the demoralized flock. "Then we still have a chance," says our optimistic heroine.
Meanwhile, their activities have caught the attention of Mr. Tweedy. "The chickens are organizing," he urges the Missus, to which she replies, "chickens can't organize." But, she does notice that egg production is dropping. Tired of minuscule profits, she decides to enter a different business that is even more threatening to the livelihoods of the chicken population. Now, it's a race for survival. If Ginger and her flock can not escape in time, they may all wind up in the frozen food section of the local supermarket.
"Chicken Run," with its humorous level of mayhem, is a fun movie for children. However, it would have been more appealing if the colors/palettes used weren't so bleak. Yet this is a film about a chicken pen-itentiary, so its hues are understandably grayish. Adults will also find the plot engaging and even dramatic. And if you're familiar with the creator's popular "Wallace and Gromit" mini-films, you'll find many of its charming quirks here, including the heavy Yorkshire accents, and the lipless faces with mouths that have more bottom teeth than top ones.
Of greatest note is the amount of work needed to create this film. It uses Stop-motion photography in which the models are minutely reshaped and repositioned from shot to shot to give the illusion of 3-D movement. To create one second of film, 24 shots are required. Anything less would result in Gumby-esque choppiness. Some of the scenes are wonderfully and incredibly complex, including the morning roll call; a dance party; and the clever finale. "Chicken Run" is fun to watch and amazing to look at. It's not as rousing a tale or as colorful as Toy Story 2, but it's certainly as inventive and as sweet.
Grade: B+
S: 0 out of 3 L: 0 out of 3 V: 0 out of 3
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