"Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget" may take the heat off parents who need a Netflix distraction for the kids, but those expecting another "Wallace & Gromit" or "Shaun the Sheep" marvel from Aardman Animation might feel a twinge of disappointment. Unlike Aardman's lesser-known yet captivating films like "Flushed Away" and "The Pirates! A Band of Misfits", this sequel lacks the creative brilliance that sets the studio's productions apart. Though it’s not entirely a misfire, a lackluster script and slightly off comic delivery leave this avian adventure grounded.
"Dawn of the Nugget" picks up a few years after Ginger (Thandiwe Newton) and Rocky's (Zachary Levi) audacious escape from Tweedys Farm in the original "Chicken Run". Now living free but wary on an island refuge, our feathered heroes find themselves embroiled in a new adventure when their daughter Molly (Bella Ramsey) ends up in a massive chicken farm that claims to produce humane fast food. Getting into a place they once risked everything to escape from presents a unique and hilarious challenge to Ginger, Rocky, and friends.
It's a compelling idea for a film, but this is no typical Aardman classic, and herein lies the rub. Aardman has a knack for balancing old-school Vaudeville physical humour, engaging character arcs, and powerful voice acting-peppered with technical brilliance to captivate their audiences. But this outing from scriptwriters Karey Kirkpatrick, John O’Farrell, and Rachel Tunnard offers only a partial glimpse of this talent. The comedy falls flat, inciting ‘hmms’ instead of hearty laughs, a notable shortfall indeed.
Despite having a talented voice cast, the performances feel relatively uninspired. Zachary Levi's portrayal of a former circus star on a rescue mission specifically lacks vibrancy. Rest of the movie shares a similar sentiment, proving to be forgettable instead of standing out.
However, to dismiss "Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget" as entirely dull wouldn’t be entirely fair. It does manage to keep viewers glued to their screens for most of the movie, showcasing the struggle to save Molly and her newfound friends. It does land some decent jokes and characters iterations, and is definitely watchable in a year which hasn’t seen a lot of remarkable animated films. It's just that the sequel isn’t up to Aardman's usually high standards.
The film will be available for streaming on Netflix from December 15th onwards.
