The Angry Birds Movie (2016)

Review by CJ

Director:
Clay Kaytis, Fergal Reilly

Starring:
Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader, Peter Dinklage

Other notable appearances:
Ike Barinholtz, Kate McKinnon, Sean Penn

Running time:
97 minutes

Watch this if you liked:
Over the Hedge, Open Season, Monsters vs Aliens

In the overall happy bird society, Red (Sudeikis) is outcast from society for being an angry bird. When he and three other birds are sent to anger management for various reasons they try the patience of their teacher Matilda (Rudolph). However, when a group of pigs come to the birds’ island and steal their eggs, the happy bird society turn to the outcast for help. To get their eggs back, they’re going to have to get angry.

The Angry Birds Movie is a silly movie but it is also incredibly fun to watch. Based on the smartphone game Angry Birds (uncanny, right?), the film manages to form a good story around what was a very basic plot. Pigs steal eggs, birds want eggs back, birds smash things to save eggs. It has been well elaborated on to include backstories, personalities and conflict.

The humour is a lot like that found in the Shrek movies and similar. The film is suitable for the whole family but there are jokes thrown in for the adults that will go over junior heads. Some of my favourites were to replace swear words with bird related words that sounded similar.

All of the voice actors in The Angry Birds Movie did great jobs reflecting the different personalities of their critters. My absolute favourite was Peter Dinklage. Without giving anything away, his voice and the way he performs with it in this film fit his character perfectly. Also of note is Sean Penn who doesn’t have a single word of dialogue, instead relying on grunts and growls to portray his character. It reminds me of the time South Park had George Clooney ‘voice’ Stan’s dog.

If you’re looking for a fun weekend movie with the family then The Angry Birds Movie is well worth spending 97 minutes on. It’s a silly concept that is well executed and the result is an enjoyable film that’s entertaining for kids of all ages.

Rating:

“Pluck my life.”