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Changing Hawaii

By Diane Yukihiro Chang

Monday, July 3, 2000

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Egg-cellent movie
about chickens

HERE'S a backhanded compliment for the newest release from DreamWorks, the painstakingly made, stop-motion animation movie, "Chicken Run." Don't go wasting it on the kids.

Oh, take them along to the theater, if absolutely necessary -- especially if you're self-conscious about going to a G-rated film without the keiki in tow.

But tune out their fidgeting and quizzical inquiries, or risk missing one of the witticisms or quick sight gags that make this summertime release so thoroughly enjoyable.

And memorable, too. Warning: You may never look at a carton of eggs or KFC in the same way again.

The story line is simple but far-fetched: The entire hen population at the Tweedy Farm in 1950s England -- especially ringleader, Ginger -- is intent on escaping en masse.

The chickens, who have charming British accents, are humorously unsuccessful until an American rooster named Rocky drops into the coop and trains them for the breakout.

Sounds inane, doesn't it? So how do the folks at the Aardman animation house in England manage to make us care? Namely, by appealing to our:

Appreciation for their patience and meticulous detail. "Chicken Run" was filmed in the labor-intensive, Gumby-like style of shooting clay figures, moving them ever so slightly and then shooting them again, thus simulating movement and facial expressions.
Love for old movies. Parodied in the fast-moving story line were scenes from classics such as 1953's "Stalag 17," "The Great Escape" in 1963 and "Braveheart" in 1995.
Need to root for the oppressed. It's no coincidence that the prisoners are female, mirroring the plight of exploited girls and women around the world. In this case, the egg-laying slaves are seen by their greedy owners as stupid, emotionless moneymakers, not living, feeling creatures who actually deserve their yearned-for freedom.
Recognition of important lessons in life. For example, "There's no such thing as a free lunch" (like when the hens are showered with extra feed only to learn it's to fatten them up for the chicken-pie machine), and "Looks can be deceiving" (as in the smiling, kindly face of Mrs. Tweedy on a billboard, masking her true evil, mercenary nature).
Ability to dream and hope. When Ginger tells the flock about an unseen Better Place beyond the fence, typical human reactions emerge. They include ridicule, disbelief and the penchant to be satisfied with the unhappiness you know rather than risking a shot at the unknown. Ultimately, though, the hens...oh, I don't want to "fowl" up the ending.

But here's a hint: It's not a downer.

WHEN the credits rolled at a matinee yesterday, the adults in the theater spontaneously applauded and paid the ultimate compliment to the filmmaker -- remaining in their seats to read the credits.

There were two big names -- Mel Gibson as Rocky and Miranda Richardson as Mrs. Tweedy -- although I dare anyone not to be enamored with Julia Sawalha's portrayal of Ginger.

As we made our way to the exits, the big people were grinning broadly at the breadth of symbolism, emotion and chutzpah they had just witnessed. Meanwhile, some of the little people looked confused.

Finally, one brow-furrowed keiki piped up. "Mommy, how do chickens kiss?" she asked.

(Sigh) Like I said, bring the kids if you must...

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Diane Yukihiro Chang's column runs Monday and Friday.
She can be reached by phone at 525-8607, via e-mail at
dchang@starbulletin.com, or by fax at 523-7863.