Nick Park and Peter Lord defy their detractors

Rating: 10/10 (6 September 2000)

Chicken Run is, without question, the best movie of the summer. Nick Park and Peter Lord have proven to the world at large that a Claymation film can run longer than a short subject and still be a success. This film's evocation of the great prisoner of war movies (The Great Escape, Stalag 17) is at once stunning and hilarious. The amount of detail given in paying homage to these films gives Chicken Run its edge and its very British tone. I attended the film with my 3 year old son, who laughed hysterically in all the right places and has now officially proclaimed Chicken Run his favourite film. I was rolling in the aisles myself. Like The Iron Giant, this film disproves the Disney ethos that an animated film needs to be a musical to be a success; the only difference is that Chicken Run has the box office to show for it. Great voice-over work from all involved, an amazing amount of detail everywhere (this film screams out for repeat viewings) , and a solid script combine to create one of the most pleasurable filmgoing experiences I have ever had. Those of you who disliked the film can go on with you heads in the sand; the rest of us won't miss you.