CHICKEN LITTLE

If Disney were planning on giving Pixar a run for their money with Chicken Little, their first big screen computer animated movie, then they’d need to go back to the drawing board since there is nothing here for Pixar to worry about: the producers of Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Monsters, Inc. are still undoubtedly the champs when it comes to the current fad for computer-generated animated movies.

Chicken Little may offer a twist on the child’s fable by throwing in an alien invasion plot plus some obligatory pop cultural references, but the film is simply too “Disney” for its own good. It may be a cliché that the best children’s movies are those that offer something for their parents who accompany them, but it is still true. Chicken Little unfortunately doesn’t offer reluctant parents who escort their progeny to Saturday matinees much. The movie is simply too cute for its own good. Also, while there are a few funny gags (check the one with the lemmings) the movie is simply too bland and stale. The story line is quite thin and movie is over too much quick – it ultimately lacks any real emotional resonance and involvement. Small children will obviously lap it all up, but even adult fans of animation would want to give it a skip.

On the plus side, the film isn’t quite as annoying as the recent Shark Tale and Madagascar and sensitive parents needn’t worry about their kids coping with Shrek-style double entendres. The animation is also nice, but not ground-breaking. Some bits might frighten very small children so be sure to see it with them. The movie might seem like an endurance test of sorts for adults, but trust me; it has nothing on the recent live action Garfield movie . . .