Very good but not for children under 17

Rating: 7/10 (17 March 2002)

Saw Chicken Run. It is funny, I can't deny that, but very morbid in an existential, pit-of-your-stomach way. Parodies POW films, particularly Great Escape, but is more like a Nazi death camp situation a la Arthur Miller's Playing For Time. Death is everywhere, and seemingly inevitable. I came in late, after one of the chicken characters has already been slaughtered; I didn't stay afterward to catch what I'd missed! There is a scene early in the film, however, where the victim's picked-over skeleton is displayed at the center of the human characters' table. I did, admittedly, order Szechuan chicken afterward without thinking about it. Some kids at the late showing, and they were heard laughing, but I wouldn't be surprised if they have nightmares tonight. It is a good movie, but for what audience?