Greatly disappointed, I must relay that "Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget" just about makes an average impression. This will matter little to parents seeking kids' distractions on Netflix next week. Regardless, it falls short of the genius benchmark that Aardman Animation, creators of gems like Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, has established. Even their less popular films, like the underestimated "Flushed Away" and comical "The Pirates! A Band of Misfits", outshine "fine". Lackluster ambition, imperfect comedic timing, and subpar world-building keep this bird grounded, even though there are enough redeeming factors that might make it worth a watch, if you disregard its makers.
"Dawn of the Nugget" picks up a few years after the audacious breakout by Ginger (Thandiwe Newton) and Rocky (Zachary Levi) from Tweedys Farm in the original "Chicken Run". Haunted by the ordeal, they've chosen to live on an island out of reach of chicken predators like Mrs. Tweedy (Miranda Richardson). Their rat pals Fetcher (Daniel Mays) and Fowler (David Bradley) offer help, but Ginger and Rocky's daughter Molly (Bella Ramsey) yearns to explore mainland life. A series of events finds Molly in a colossal chicken farm, a highly modern setup aiming to create happier chickens before they become nuggets - happiness produces tender meat. The heroes from the first film, who once escaped a deadly facility, now face the challenge of breaking into one to save Molly in this long-awaited sequel.
The film's premise is interesting yet oddly executed. What's usually stimulating about an Aardman creation is their brilliant humor, a mix of slapstick comedy, vintage Vaudeville, and deep-rooted character moments, garnished by expressive voiceovers. Aardman's technical mastery is certainly laudable, but I've always seen them as purveyors of timeless comedy, which all ages can relish - "Shaun the Sheep: Farmageddon" is a testament to this well-made formula. However, this particular sequel, written by Karey Kirkpatrick, John O'Farrell, and Rachel Tunnard, falters slightly. While jokes don't exactly flop, they induce more of a "hmm" than a chuckle. Aside from a few clever visual jokes, "Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget" falls short on humor, which a more polished script might have salvaged. The voice cast, particularly Levi, seem somewhat muted, and Levi's ex-circus star role doesn't stand out. A considerable portion of the film feels aimlessly average.
Despite its shortcomings, dismissing "Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget" as uninteresting would be unjust. Viewers, especially of Netflix, form enough interest in Molly's rescue and warm up to the characters well enough to keep their smartphones aside. While this might be enough for most animations in a comparatively uninspiring year for the genre, it is not something we are used to with Aardman. The movie will be available on Netflix from December 15th.
