Chicken Run (1998)
Synopsis:
From the creators of Wallace & Gromit comes an animated adventure about a group of determined chickens desperate to escape their farm before it's too late. Led by the resourceful Ginger, the feathered flock dreams of freedom but faces one major obstacle—they can't fly. When a smooth-talking rooster named Rocky crash-lands in their coop, the hens hope he can teach them the secret of flight. With the farm's owners, Mr. and Mrs. Tweedy, closing in on their plans, Ginger and her friends including Bunty, Babs, Mac, and the old rooster Fowler must work together to plot their great escape. Through teamwork, determination, and plenty of pluck, this fearless group attempts one spectacular bid for freedom in a heartwarming tale that proves there's nothing more unstoppable than poultry with a plan.
Where To Watch: Chicken Run
Parental Feedback
Chicken Run delivers a fast-paced, cleverly crafted adventure that balances lighthearted humor with moments of genuine tension and peril. Parents should expect a story built around themes of freedom, determination, and standing up to oppression, wrapped in the distinctive stop-motion style of Aardman Animations. The tone shifts between comedic slapstick and suspenseful sequences where characters face real danger, creating an experience that keeps families engaged while occasionally raising the stakes beyond typical gentle fare.
Why Kids Should Watch Chicken Run
This animated adventure offers several compelling reasons for family viewing that extend beyond simple entertainment.
The story centers on teamwork and perseverance as Ginger leads her fellow chickens in their determined quest for freedom. These themes are woven throughout the narrative, showing young viewers how collaboration and refusing to give up can help overcome seemingly impossible obstacles.
The voice cast, including Julia Sawalha as Ginger and Mel Gibson as Rocky, brings distinct personality to each character, making the feathered protagonists relatable and memorable. The performances add depth to what could have been one-dimensional characters, giving children different personalities to connect with.
Aardman's signature stop-motion animation style creates a tactile, handcrafted world that stands apart from computer-generated alternatives. The meticulous attention to detail in every frame demonstrates the artistry of traditional animation techniques.
The humor operates on multiple levels, offering physical comedy and visual gags for younger viewers while including witty dialogue and clever references that parents will appreciate. This layered approach ensures the entire family remains entertained throughout the runtime.
Why Kids Shouldn't Watch Chicken Run
Despite its family-friendly rating, certain elements may give parents pause depending on their child's sensitivities.
The film includes sequences of genuine peril where characters face threats from the antagonists, Mr. and Mrs. Tweedy. These moments can be intense, particularly scenes involving machinery and the chickens' various escape attempts that don't go according to plan.
The runtime of two hours and thirty-two minutes is unusually long for an animated feature, which may test the attention span of younger children. Parents should consider whether their kids can remain engaged for this extended period.
Some of the darker themes, including captivity and the implied fate awaiting the chickens if they fail to escape, might be unsettling for particularly sensitive viewers. The stakes feel real despite the comedic framing, which could worry anxious children.
Verdict: Parent Approved
With its PG-13 rating, strong positive messages about determination and teamwork, and impressive 97% Rotten Tomatoes rating, this represents quality family entertainment that earns parental approval despite some intense moments.
What Parents Should Know About Chicken Run
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does this Movie model positive behavior that my child can understand and repeat? | Yes, the characters demonstrate teamwork, determination, leadership, and the importance of working together toward a common goal despite setbacks. |
| Does this Movie include emotional moments my child might find confusing or intense? | Yes, there are sequences of peril and tension where characters face real danger from the antagonists, which may be intense for sensitive viewers. |
| Does this Movie show consequences for unkind or unsafe behavior? | Yes, the antagonists Mrs. Tweedy and Mr. Tweedy face consequences for their treatment of the chickens, reinforcing that oppressive behavior ultimately fails. |
| Does this Movie reinforce helpful social skills like sharing, apologizing, or teamwork? | Yes, the entire narrative revolves around the chickens working together, with characters like Ginger, Bunty, Mac, and Babs each contributing their unique skills to the group effort. |
| Will my child come away with any clear moral or message? | Yes, the story clearly communicates that freedom is worth fighting for, persistence pays off, and working together makes seemingly impossible goals achievable. |
The Overall Sentiment From Parental Feedback
Parents generally praise this offering from the creators of Wallace & Gromit for its clever storytelling, impressive animation craftsmanship, and meaningful themes about freedom and determination. Many appreciate that the humor works for both children and adults, making it genuinely enjoyable for the whole family rather than simply tolerable for parents. The strong critical reception, including an 88 Metacritic score and 7.1 IMDb rating, reflects broad consensus that this represents quality family entertainment. Some parents do note the longer runtime and occasional intense moments as considerations, particularly for younger or more sensitive children, but most feel these concerns are outweighed by the positive messages and engaging story that Peter Lord and the Aardman team have crafted.
Official Chicken Run Trailer
Why Kids Love Chicken Run
Kids love watching Ginger and her flock race against time in their wild escape attempts, dodging the Tweedys at every turn. The chickens scramble through tunnels, leap over fences, and narrowly avoid capture in fast-paced chases that keep hearts pounding. Each near miss brings giggles as the feathered friends outsmart their captors with clever tricks.
Rocky swoops in with flashy confidence, trying to teach the chickens to fly in hilarious training sequences full of flapping wings and crash landings. The sidekick squad—including chatty Babs and tough Bunty—adds silly jokes and cartoon-style chaos to every scene. Mac's gadgets and contraptions create spectacular set pieces as the team tests wild inventions that spin, bounce, and sometimes explode.
The chickens work together to solve puzzles and fix problems, turning everyday farm objects into escape tools. Ginger leads her loyal team through one daring plan after another, proving that teamwork wins even when things go hilariously wrong. The final bid for freedom delivers non-stop action as the entire flock races toward their spectacular escape, with every chicken playing a hero role in saving the day.