MOVIE REVIEW: Free Birds

GENRE: 3D animation comedy

RUNNING TIME: 92 minutes

CAST: Owen Wilson (Night at the Museum),Woody Harrelson (The Hunger Games), Amy Poehler (Horton Hears a Who), George Takei (Star Trek)

DIRECTED BY: Jimmy Hayward (Horton Hears a Who)

RATING: 6/10

Currently screening at Ster-Kinekor Northgate.

PLOT: Reggie (Owen Wilson) has never been one of the flock. Different in every way and the only bird with a brain, Reggie knows that he and his fellow turkeys are being fattened up for Thanksgiving dinner. When he attempts to warn the flock, he is viewed as a troublemaker the flock throws him out. The president’s daughter (Kaitlyn Maher) chooses Reggie as the ‘Pardoned Turkey’ and he is sent to Camp David to live with the president (Jimmy Hayward). Here he discovers pizza and TV and Reggie soon feels that he doesn’t need a flock, deciding to do things alone and his way.

Until he is abducted. Jake (Woody Harrelson) is a member of the Turkey Freedom Front. His mission? To find the Time Capsule. Once discovered, he will go back to the first Thanksgiving in 1621 to change the fate of turkeys everywhere.In an operation carried out with a tribe of historical turkeys, peace-loving ninja-birds who keep the pilgrims on their toes, Reggie must help Jake to save the flock. And when Jenny (Amy Poehler) the chief’s daughter, catches his eye, Reggie has to rethink his purpose in life. Still believing that he flies solo, can the past be the place where Reggie finally fits in and will his love for pizza change the course of history?

THE GOOD: The tale provides an interesting look at the power that food has over people and is sure to spark discussion. Thanksgiving, while not a South African holiday, makes little difference to a storyline that keeps the audience enthralled. The brilliant turkey show-downs are a must-see. Seldom does humour appeal to all age groups at the same time, but here the film excels. Loony, wacky and incredibly amusing, this is an entertaining movie.

THE BAD: Parents of young children and sensitive viewers must be selective in this viewing as the Hunter and his dogs are most intimidating, their sharp teeth and glowing eyes enough to cause nightmares. As always with stories that centre on food, some debate is sparked. While turkey is not very popular here, the thought of children choosing to not eat birds is concerning. On a continent where hunger is so predominant, the idea that pizza is a better option (while a fun notion) appeared completely preposterous.

VERDICT: In a great fruit salad of genres, combined together into one story – sci-fi time travel mixed with traditional culture and historical fact – the result is good fun. The old takes on the new, as the Space Turkey’s battle the world from all the way back to the beginning.

*SPECIAL THANKS TO STER-KINEKOR NORTHGATE FOR MAKING THE REVIEW POSSIBLE.