The Sandspur

Issue date: 11/11/05 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Courtesy of Walt Disney Resort

Disney conquered their traditional genre, the classic children's tale, and in their typical movie prowess, they shone in Chicken Little.

It is a fun twist on a story that everyone over the age of six weeks has heard. The tiny chicken telling the town that the sky is falling and causing panic for all. In the original story, however, there was nothing about aliens invading the earth, causing the sky to "fall."

The characters are priceless. They each have individual personalities delightfully portrayed by their celebrity voice actors. These actors included such talent as Zach Braff (Chicken Little himself), Garry Marshall (Buck Cluck), Don Knotts (Mayor Turkey Lurkey), and Joan Cusack (Abby Mallard), among others. The film also included cameo voice appearances by Patrick Stewart, Catherine O'Hara, and Adam West.

Chicken Little is full of clever little social commentaries and jokes about the animal kingdom. Some of these one-line quotes even poke harmless but hilarious fun at Disney itself. The only problem with this aspect of the film is that many of the lines moved by very quickly, and the majority of the audience did not catch them quickly enough. Children, of course, would not understand these lines at all. They might not understand the exaggerated bureaucracy that surrounds Mayor Turkey Lurkey or the clearly overemphasized division between the "popular" kids and the "unpopular" kids in the school settings.

These lines that comment on societal quirks are written with ingenuity and wit, and they are carried out by the fine actors with beautiful timing.

While children may not understand some of the humor in Chicken Little, there is still plenty in it for them, as well. Many of the protagonists are children themselves, and it is literally the "little" guy that comes out on top. The humor is (coming from Disney, of course) certainly appropriate for younger ears, though they may not always understand it. It is completely safe to bring children or younger brothers and sisters. Chicken Little is enjoyable for the whole family.

The only part of the movie that could have been a little different is the ending. The end of the movie is a little awkward, and it seems fairly obvious that the creators did not know how to successfully complete the film. The did come up with an ending, but it seems a little like they were fishing for a way to put a cap on their masterfully done film. They could have done better, judging by the success of the rest of the film, in leaving the audience with a better ending.

In general, however, Chicken Little is a major success for Disney. Don't look for it to be a life-changing experience. If you are just looking for some laughs and a great time, Chicken Little is the way to go.

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