|
 "Chicken
Run," with its refreshing wit and action-packed fun, will delight audiences of all
ages. Produced by Aardman Studios, who specialize in "clay-mated" features,
succeed with its exceptional story set on a chicken farm in England.
The imprisoned chickens of Tweety’s Farm have to lay their daily egg quota, or become
dinner.
One determined hen, Ginger (Juila Sawalha) has dreams of
freedom for herself and her other feathered friends.
 Ginger has made numerous attempts to get out, only
to be caught by the farm owner, Mr. Tweety (Tony Haygarth). Nasty Mr. Tweety is a cream
puff compared to his devious wife, Mrs. Tweety (Miranda Richardson).
Mrs. Tweety wants to find a more profitable way to use her
chickens. She finally sets her mind on eventually making them all into chicken pies!
Ginger desperately needs a plan.
Thankfully, help comes in the form of a rooster named Rocky Road (Mel Gibson). He
has impressive flying skills, or so it seems. Ginger believes that he could use his skills
to train the flock to fly, allowing them to leave their dismal fate.  But
this puffed-up rooster from overseas is in no rush to ruffle his own feathers.
"Chicken Run" is well-written and
sophisticated.
It’s a real treat for the whole family. Its dryly witty script keeps the
film energized the whole way through. The movie returns to the basics; a good plot,
excellent characters and a beautifully-crafted story. Everyone can identify with
Ginger’s struggle and desire to escape, even if she is considered just another pair
of drumsticks.
I was impressed with "Chicken Run"’s
compelling story.
The chickens had a range of sophisticated emotions. Audiences will actually gain
wisdom from these chickens.  The heroine, Ginger, remarks that
the only fences that bind us from doing the things we want to do are just in our minds.
"Chicken Run," basted with humor, brings out the juicy and satisfying tidbits of
believing in yourself.
Mel Gibson (Rocky) is the lone non-British voice in the
movie. The squabbles between his boisterous, good-time character and Ginger, the
go-getter, were all in good fun.
"Chicken Run" is rated G.
Bring the whole flock to see "Chicken Run".
Also see:
Meet the Author:
Nell Minow
author of "Movie Mom's Guide to Family Movies
Interview and FREE excerpt
hosted by Joanne Spataro
 interview & FREE excerpt
 
Nell Minow is an avid movie fan, so writing "The Movie Mom's Guide to Family
Movies" was great fun. She wants to give hopeless parents an informative, friendly
guide to help them choose appropriate movies for their children. It covers over 500
family-oriented movies that even teach children about courage, growing up, and values.
What better way to teach your children life lessons with yummy snacks and great movies?
See the interview as well as a review of the movie Titanic.
Joanne's Movie Reviews:
"My Dog Skip"
by Joanne Spataro
Movie Critic, the Charlotte Observer
review,
pics & clips
 "My Dog Skip" is an insightful movie about a boy who learns
about life from his beloved canine. It's based on the autobiography of William Morris.
"My Dog Skip" will appeal to families of all ages. Younger children will adore
Skip. Parents and older kids will enjoy the gentle and dramatic story. Find out more. |
Now out
on video...
Chicken Run
 
From Leonard Maltin's
Movie & Video Guide
Endearingly loopy stop-motion animated feature from the
Oscar-winning creators of Wallace and Gromit. The setting is a British barnyard where the
chickens are determined to escape their fate and literally fly the coop. Amusing for
adults on one level (with a number of savvy references to old P.O.W. movies) and just
plain fun for kids.
Chicken Run:
Hatching the Movie
by Brian Sibley
Here's the complete story of the making of this epic adventure. The book takes
readers inside England's magical Aardman animation studio, where animators make movies (at
a rate of four seconds per day) out of bits of clay, metal, paper, and wood. Based on
extensive interviews with acclaimed directors Nick Park and Peter Lord and their gifted
team of stop-action animation artists, and reproducing a wealth of visual material, the
book is the next best thing to spending every day for three years building and playing
with model chickens!
Chicken Run
Classic Edition
by Lawrence David, Susan Van Metreages ages 4 to 8
Based on the new Claymation film from the makers of the popular Wallace and
Gromit series, Chicken Run is a touching, offbeat story of a hen house full of
plucky chickens who exhibit admirable courage in the face of daunting odds. Humorous and
irreverent (budding vegetarians will love this story of chickens refusing to become meals
for humans), the book takes readers on a wild, imaginative ride of near misses, tender
romance, and nerve-wracking adventure.
Chicken Run
Junior Novelization
by Ellen Weiss, K. Gilson
ages 9 to 12
Roger Ebert's
Movie Yearbook 2000
by Roger Ebert
In a brand-new concept, Roger Ebert's Movie Yearbook contains all the reviews
published by Ebert in the last two and a half years, including foreign films,
documentaries, indies, and highly negative reviews which were often eliminated from the
Companion for space reasons but make entertaining reading as well as aiding in the
selection process. The Yearbook also contains all interviews and essays for the year, his
Questions for the Movie Answer Man, and film festival coverage. The book also retains in
the back a list of all movies previously appearing in Video Companions with Roger's star
ratings. |
Now