Chicken Run Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Chickens stuck in a farm try to escape before they are turned into pies, but their plans are complicated by a rooster who can’t actually fly and a farmer with pie-making dreams.

🍿 Chicken Run: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Life on Tweedy’s Farm

Ginger, a determined hen, leads frequent escape attempts from Tweedy’s Farm, a grim Yorkshire chicken farm reminiscent of a WWII POW camp. The farm is run by the cruel Mrs. Tweedy and her dim-witted husband, Mr. Tweedy. Chickens who fail to meet their egg quota face dire consequences.

The Arrival of Rocky

Hope arrives in the form of Rocky, an American rooster who seemingly flies into the farm after escaping from a circus. The hens, especially Ginger, see him as their ticket to freedom. Rocky promises to teach them how to fly over the fence.

The Pie Machine

As Rocky trains the chickens, Mrs. Tweedy invests in a pie-making machine, escalating the threat to the chickens’ lives. Rocky rescues Ginger from a test run of the machine, but the incident accelerates the chickens’ urgency to escape.

Rocky’s Secret Revealed

Rocky mysteriously disappears, leaving behind a poster revealing that he is not a flying rooster but a stunt rooster shot out of a cannon. The chickens’ morale plummets, but Ginger refuses to give up.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ginger (Julia Sawalha): The determined hen who leads the other chickens in daring escape attempts from the Tweedy’s farm.
• Rocky (Mel Gibson): A charismatic American rooster who initially claims to be able to fly and becomes involved in the chickens’ escape plan.
• Mrs. Tweedy (Miranda Richardson): The ruthless and cunning owner of the farm who seeks to maximize profits by turning the chickens into pies.
• Mr. Tweedy (Tony Haygarth): Mrs. Tweedy’s dim-witted husband who carries out her orders and is suspicious of the chickens.
• Fowler (Benjamin Whitrow): An elderly, patriotic rooster with a military background, whose past experiences become crucial to the final escape plan.
• Babs (Jane Horrocks): A kind but naive hen who knits and provides comic relief throughout the chickens’ escape attempts.
• Nick (Timothy Spall): One of the two greedy rats who provide the chickens with contraband in exchange for eggs.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ginger: “We may die trying, but at least we won’t die frying!” – Ginger rallying the chickens, emphasizing the importance of their escape attempts despite the risks.
• Rocky: “I’m the Wanderer.” – Rocky sings to prove that he can fly.
• Babs: “I don’t want to be a pie! I don’t like gravy.” – Babs expressing her fear of becoming a pie.
• Mrs. Tweedy: “Woman’s touch. It’s makes the public feel more comfortable.” – Mrs. Tweedy explains why she wants her name included in the chicken pie brand.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $45,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $106,834,564
• Worldwide Gross: $224,888,359

💥 Chicken Run Reviews

Personal Review

Oh my goodness, Chicken Run is one of those movies that just makes you feel good! I remember watching it as a kid and being completely captivated by Ginger’s determination and Rocky’s charm. The scene where they’re trying to figure out how to fly and just end up flopping around is hilarious! Plus, Mrs. Tweedy is such a great villain – you can’t help but root against her. This movie is pure nostalgia and fun.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Wallace and Gromit”
  • “Families looking for an adventurous and funny film”
  • “People who appreciate stop-motion animation”
  • “Viewers who enjoy parodies of classic movies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild peril and suspense”
  • “Cartoon violence”
  • “Themes of imprisonment and escape”

Professional Reviews

• Indiewire: “Chicken Run remains a high point in Aardman’s filmography, deftly balancing humor and heart. Its clever send-ups of classic war films like The Great Escape add a layer of sophistication that appeals to adults, while the endearing characters and thrilling action keep kids engaged.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Chicken Run isn’t just visually impressive; it’s a brilliantly told story with memorable characters and clever nods to classic war films. The stop-motion animation is seamless, and the voice acting is top-notch.
• Empire Magazine: “Aardman’s first feature is a triumph, blending slapstick humor with surprisingly dark themes. The claymation is wonderfully expressive, and the story is both exciting and heartwarming. A true classic for all ages.

Audience Reactions

The intricate claymation and detailed sets are visually stunning.: Viewers appreciate the unique stop-motion animation and the dedication it took to create the film’s world.

The humor appeals to both children and adults.: The clever writing and references to classic films make it enjoyable for all ages.

Mrs. Tweedy is a memorable and menacing villain.: Audiences love the over-the-top portrayal of the evil farm owner.

Overall Consensus: Chicken Run is a beloved animated classic that combines impressive stop-motion animation with a witty and heartwarming story, appealing to audiences of all ages.

Awards

1. Satellite Award (Outstanding Motion Picture, Animated or Mixed Media)- 2000

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Chicken Run is the highest-grossing stop-motion animated film of all time.”
• “The animators would produce only about 4 seconds of footage per day.”
• “During production, 30 animators were employed, along with 180 other crew members.”
• “The movie is heavily inspired by classic war films like ‘The Great Escape’ and ‘Stalag 17’, with many scenes directly referencing them.”

🖥️ How to Watch Chicken Run?

Chicken Run is available for streaming on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV, offering options for both rental and purchase. Check JustWatch to find all streaming platforms the movie is available on. You can also find the movie for purchase on Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Chicken Run, you might like these similar films:

• The Great Escape (1963): Directly parodied and homaged in Chicken Run, sharing the theme of prisoners escaping a confined space.
• Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005): Another Aardman Animations production, sharing the same unique stop-motion style and British humor.
• A Bug’s Life (1998): Shares the theme of a colony of creatures rising up against oppressive forces, using ingenuity to overcome their limitations.
• Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009): Another stop-motion animated film with a clever animal protagonist leading a daring heist against human adversaries.

🛒 Chicken Run Related Products

• Chicken Run: Hatching the Movie: Explore the making of Chicken Run with this behind-the-scenes book, featuring concept art, storyboards, and interviews with the creators. A must-have for any fan of stop-motion animation.
• Chicken Run DVD: Own the classic film in DVD format, complete with special features like behind-the-scenes footage and commentary from the filmmakers.
• LEGO Chicken Run: The Great Escape: Build your own Chicken Run scenes with this LEGO set. Recreate memorable moments with Ginger, Rocky, and Mrs. Tweedy.
• Chicken Run T-Shirt: Show off your love for Chicken Run with a stylish t-shirt featuring your favorite characters. Available in various sizes and colors.

🎧 Soundtrack

Chicken Run features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Opening Escape” – performed by Harry Gregson-Williams & John Powell
• “The Escape Plan” – performed by Harry Gregson-Williams & John Powell
• “Little Wooden Horse” – performed by Harry Gregson-Williams & John Powell
• “End Titles” – performed by Harry Gregson-Williams & John Powell

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Chicken Run is more POLITICAL than you think…

Hey! Have you ever noticed the political themes in Chicken Run? This video breaks it all down, and it’s so eye-opening. Check it out!

Country Chicken Pie That’s Feather Ruffling Good!😋 #shorts #chickenrun #potpie #dreamworks

Who doesn’t love a good chicken pot pie? This recipe from Chicken Run is the perfect way to satisfy your cravings. Give it a try!

Chicken Run – How Aardman Crack’d The Yanks! With Peter Lord

This video is a must-watch for fans of Chicken Run! It gives an inside look at the making of the movie, with interviews from the director and other key figures involved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3W196e51kQ

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