Chicken Run: A Reheated Dish of Aardman's Classic
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget fails to live up to its clever title, offering little more than a lackluster and redundant sequel Aardman Studios' attempt to capitalize on the success of its predecessor falls short, leaving viewers with a mildly amusing but ultimately unnecessary Netflix film
Animation has the benefit of not allowing characters to age, which is why Aardman Studios is releasing the sequel "Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget" 23 years after the original film. Unfortunately, the movie doesn't quite live up to its clever title, offering only mild and sporadic amusement and feeling mostly like an unnecessary rehash. The replacement of the original voices, including Mel Gibson, contributes to the feeling that time has passed. This time, Thandiwe Newton and Zachary Levi voice the characters Ginger and Rocky, who are now raising a daughter named Molly, voiced by Bella Ramsey.
Everything seems to be going well in life, but where's the excitement in that? The chickens are suddenly confronted with a new danger from an industrial plant that lures them in with the promise of an enticing theme park, ultimately leading them to their demise.
The determined Ginger refuses to back down in the face of this threat, while Molly inherits her mother's resilience. This changes the dynamic from simply fleeing danger to standing up and confronting it, no matter how unlikely and poorly matched the fight may be.
The chickens and their friends face a new threat in "Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget."
Aardman//Netflix
A number of esteemed actors are returning to their respective roles, including Imelda Staunton and Miranda Richardson, for a film directed by Sam Fell ("ParaNorman") based on a screenplay by Karey Kirkpatrick and John OFarrell (who worked on the original) and Rachel Tunnard.
The stop-motion approach used by Aardman, known for projects like "Wallace & Gromit" and "Shaun the Sheep," maintains its old-fashioned charm and visual uniqueness in a digital age. However, the story feels like a recycled version of the original, with minor changes, aiming to capture the nostalgia of adults while appealing to a new generation of children.
Although major studios frequently employ this strategy, Aardman has the advantage of being a more unconventional and boutique operation. It is also reflective of the times that the sequel to "Chicken Run" is heading to Netflix, a departure from the original's theatrical release, making it easier for subscribers to find both films in one place.
"Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget" could be worth watching based on its streaming popularity. However, Netflix should remember not to expect success before it happens. The movie premieres on December 15 and is rated PG.
