Aardman's first feature length film is a blast

Rating: 10/10 (25 March 2001)

Call this the best movie of 2000 ignored by Oscar. Come on, not even one nomination? This film is not just an outstanding achievement in hand animation, it's also up to Aardman's high standards of excellent writing, artwork, craft and skill, all in a fresh and original way.
Chicken Run continues, in a feature-length film, Aardman's outlandishly funny stop-motion clay animation of Wallace and Grommit and other Oscar-winning shorts, but in the totally unexpected setting of a British chicken farm. The story is somewhat of an homage to the Great Escape, Stalag 17, Escape of the Birdmen, and other WWII prisoner of war escape movies, but with the ludicrous twist that the heros are, well... birds. Movie fans will enjoy seeing how many other movie references they can spot.
The characters and story here are as engrossing as ever, and the direction, vocal talent and foley sound effects are brilliant. Mel Gibson gives a great performance as Rocky, and the other vocal artists are excellent as well. Lighting, set decoration and photography are sharp as usual. Most amazing is the range and subtlety of facial expressions emanating from a few artfully moved eyebrows, eyelids, head shapes, etc. (It's even more amazing since they don't actually have eyebrows, etc.) This together with the vocal direction gives the characters real life and feeling.
This is great entertainment for all ages, well suited for family viewing. Some may have a little trouble with the British accents unless they've seen a few BBC shows. Highly recommended.