CHICKEN RUN: DAWN OF THE NUGGET

UK, 2023, 101 minutes, Colour.

Voices of: Thandiwe Newton, Zachary Levi, Bella Ramsey, Imelda Staunton, Lynn Ferguson, David Bradley, Jane Horrocks, Romesh Ranganathan, Daniel Mays, Josie Sedgwick-Davies, Peter Serafinowicz, Nick Mohammed, Miranda Richardson.

Directed by Sam Fell.

Who hasn’t enjoyed the films from Aardman Studios? Happy memories of Wallace and Gromit from the past, Shaun the Sheep, and Chicken Run.

It is something of a surprise to find that it is 20 years since the first Chicken Run. This sequel has had something of mixed reviews, some joy at another Chicken Run film, some complaints of how slight it is. And it went to Netflix streaming.

Fans of the original will remember Ginger and Rocky and their adventures. Here they are again, this time voiced by Thandiwe Newton for Ginger and, instead of Mel Gibson, American Zachary Levi for Rocky (somewhat incongruous with the rest of the accents being so British, some so very very British)

Once more, we are at the Chicken Run with the tyrannical Mrs Tweedy, voiced by Miranda Richardson again. This time Ginger shows her defiance and the overthrow of Mrs Tweedy. But, this time, the family is different, with the hatching of a little chicken, Molly (Bella Ramsey) and her growing up rather quickly, wanting some independence, her mother wanting what is best for her but being strict, Rocky sometimes a bit ditzy.

The initial action is the rebellion against the Chicken Run and everybody migrating to a paradise island where they are all very happy. The second action is a new, reinforced concrete building for mass production of eggs and chickens, especially for the making of nuggets for takeaway restaurants. And, who should be in charge along with the odd Dr Fry but Mrs Tweedy herself. They have so many chickens but control them with a neck brace which takes away their minds and fills them with false contentment, ready to go up the chopping block and come out nuggets!

While everybody gets a chance for some kind of heroism to confront this evil regime, the main action goes to Molly, very enterprising, using her wits, tracking down the villains, catching up with her mother as well as Rocky and other members of Ginger’s friends. And, there are the two comic rats who get into all kinds of strife.

So, the action eventually is more or less as expected, happy family, happy chickens, happy rescues..

1. The popularity of Aardman studio films? Of the original Chicken Run?
2. A sequel, 20 years later, continuation of the story, the characters, new adventures?
3. The style of. Stop-Motion animation, characters, situations? The voices? British, except for Zachary Levi, American as Rocky?
4. Audience knowing the situation, at the chicken run? Knowing the characters and their past?
5. The situation, Mrs Tweedy, harsh and bossing, her appearance, her voice, her severity? The response of the chickens, the response of Ginger, defiance, toppling her, the uprising?
6. Ginger, familiar, a leader, her group of friends, her relationship with Rocky, their pride with Molly? Molly, egg, little chicken, her rapid growing up?
7. The expedition, all the chickens, finding refuge, the peaceful island? Life?
8. Molly, growing up, venturesome, wanting freedom, her friendship with Frrizzle? Her parents, protective?
9. Ginger, sympathetic, leadership, supportive of Rocky? Rocky, the touch of dotting us? The concern about Molly?
10. The new chicken run, elaborate, large, set down, the chickens in the captivity, collars, control of their minds? Willingly to give themselves up to be nuggets?
11. Molly, with Frizzle, out for the adventure, their discoveries, Molly and her sense of mission, the other chickens, following Dr Fry and the restaurant entrepreneur? Plan of action? Frizzle, her being captured, the collar and the loss of her mind?
12. The mission, to rescue Molly, to free the chickens? Ginger, her group, the various adventures, lost, trapped, freed, Molly and linking up with her father, then her mother? Wanting to free Frizzle?
13. The comedy with the rats, their deliveries, bargains, part of the adventure, with Rocky, silly and sensible, the knockabout comedy and pratfalls, verbal comedy, participation in the adventure?
14. Dr Fry, sinister, evil chicken, his mask, his legs, his voice? Working with Mrs Tweedy? The visit of the entrepreneur, the demonstration, his return, the large order?
15. The adventures in the mechanised chicken run, the photograph of the guard and holding it up for security, the guards trying to stop the chickens? The various ruses, deceptions, the dangers?
16. The confrontation with Mrs Tweedy, her ruthlessness, enmity with Ginger, the final confrontation? Defeat?
17. Rescue, achievement, happy ending?