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Chicken Little

 
As Walt Disney’s first home-grown computer animated motion picture (all the previous releases were produced by Pixar studios) Chicken Little is arguably one of the most important movies in Hollywood at this time. The importance of this movie is underlined by the fact that when it came time for the contract with Pixar to be renegotiated Disney played hardball and thus forced Pixar to seek a new home. This was widely regarded as a major mistake on Disney’s part, especially since a similar situation also resulted in a divorce with Disney-owned Miramax, so it’s clear that they need to prove that they can generate there own successful computer animated films.

The plot begins simply. Chicken Little is paying the price for the whole "sky is falling" incident. Very few people, including his father, believed him and he is taunted by all but his closest friends. Like many family films, animated and otherwise, the main point is a familiar one, a child's bond (or lack thereof) with a parent. However, the plot of Chicken Little takes an unexpected turn when the sky literally does fall. The commercials for the movie have made no secret of the fact that this involves alien life forms, but the filmmakers did a good job of keeping the meat of the story (not to mention most of the best jokes) out of the advertising. I won't expand on the story, only to say that it's mainly an excuse for an avalanche of jokes (some better than others) and a quite funny spoof of "War of the Worlds".

It’s difficult to fault any of the voice work on display here. However, special mentions should be made to Zach Braff (from NBC’s Scrubs) who makes Chicken Little all the more lovable, and his range here is terrific. Also, Steve Zahn (Monty the Alley-Cat in Stuart Little) and Joan Cusack (Jessie, the Yodelling Cowgirl in Toy Story 2) are also solid fits as the suspiciously feminine pig and the ugly duckling, respectively. It’s Garry Marshall, however who is ultimately the most memorable of the bunch as wise old Buck Cluck. Marshall's work is both heart-warming and accomplished.

This is one of the best Disney movies in a long time and my 5-year-old son loved it from beginning to end. Now, while I found it entertainment, you all have to remember it’s a children’s movie and as such I recommend this movie for CHILDREN.
Wait for Shrek 3 if you want to be laughing out loud with jokes that an adult understands. So while this film does not achieve the greatness of The Incredibles or Finding Nemo - in fact it does not come close. The latter two are movies adults can and will see on their own. Chicken Little requires Child Accompaniment but if you have children, take them they will love it even though you may not enjoy it as much as its clever marketing makes you believe.
 
 
Paul Elliott