Standard animation which is cute and funny but lacks depth

Rating: 8/10 (5 August 2000)

Chicken Run, from the Wallace and Gromit guys, it must be said is an entertaining comedy, although as with the Wallace and Gromit movies, it lacks any depth or different approaches. As well as that the standard 50's style machinery, good vs evil (main character being good) and love interest as a side-story is all a little predictable and unimaginative. The TV series 'The Simpsons' is a prime example of excellent imagination and clever scripting and one-liners, which in my opinion is clearly missing from a film such as C.R in order to take it up the pecking order (pun intended).
On the positive side found much of escape attempts, animation and the nods to great films of the past. Notably 'The Great Escape' (underground tunnel with sliders + chicken bounces ball against side of small solidartry confinement eg Steve McQueen). Also the over used Indiana Jones, slide under a closing door from roof to floor and dropping there hat, to then reach back inside to get it. Although I thought the biggest take-off appeared to miss most critics, that of Flight of the Phoenix, eg deciding to build a plane with the guidance of what they think is an expert, but they misunderstood him.
In summary, this is a pretty standard predictable comedy, although still worth watching, although its a far reach from some of the great films surrounding it in the IMDB 250 list.