Picture: Netflix
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget simply had its world premiere on the BFI Film Festival in London, and thankfully, some reasonably priced seats have been nonetheless obtainable a number of months in the past. As a outcome, listed here are my ideas forward of its December 2023 launch.
Releasing 23 years after the unique in 2000, Dawn of the Nugget picks up from roughly the place the unique left off. Following their daring escape from Tweedy’s farm, they’ve settled on a distant island free from pesky human interference. Ginger and Rocky are nonetheless collectively and have a baby who grows up with simply as a lot curiosity as her mom. That morbid curiosity will get her into bother, resulting in a daring heist involving all our favorites from the unique.
Ahead of the film, one of many founders of Aardman mentioned that comedy is of their DNA, and that was actually prevalent all through, with loads of laugh-out-loud moments loved on my own and people round me. Fowler’s interplay with a moderately disinterested snail who couldn’t escape the ramblings of his escapades from his former RAF days was a private spotlight. That’s to not point out that Babs, voiced by Jane Horrocks, was the true MVP of the film, nonetheless, with nearly each quip touchdown amusing.
The voicecast has been largely refreshed for this outing for numerous causes. Miranda Richardson’s return to voice Mrs. Tweedy should’ve been like getting again on a motorcycle, as her efficiency was distinctive, even when her character did really feel rather less sinister than the primary. As for the newcomers, nearly all of them settled into their new roles effortlessly, however a number of exceptions stood out for me, particularly since I had simply rewatched the primary film.
Rocky was the standout right here, with Zachary Levi noticeably missing the punch of Mel Gibson’s efficiency from twenty years in the past. It’s not that his character wasn’t efficient; he delivered some glorious laugh-out-loud moments, however there was simply one thing misplaced within the efficiency. That’s only one instance, however a number of different characters felt like they weren’t fairly proper.
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget. (L to R) Rocky (Zachary Levi), Nick (Romesh Ranganathan), Fetcher (Daniel Mays) in Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget. Cr: Aardman/NETFLIX © 2023
As for the animation itself, it’s elegant, as you’d come to anticipate from Aardman, who appears free to experiment and have absolute confidence in any scene they must deal with. It’s a pleasure to sometimes see one of many animator’s thumbprints embedded within the characters’ faces, and the eye to element is excellent. The sequel is rather more colourful than the unique, with one part of the film paying homage to the Barbieland reveal from the field workplace smash earlier within the 12 months.
The film hits on some deeper themes, whether or not that’s grasping capitalism or the way in which farming is carried out, however it’s by no means the movie’s sole focus and by no means outstays its welcome.
While now we have little question the argument and query will likely be rolled out about whether or not this film would’ve been a success on the field workplace, it can’t be denied that by way of Netflix, Aardman has been allowed to be on the prime of their recreation with this film.
“The bar was set so high that I just knew we had to come up with something at least as great on its own terms,” director Sam Fell mentioned earlier than the film opened in any case these years. As a fan of the unique, I’m glad to report that the bar appears to be like to be cleared after which some.
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget. (L to R) Dry Fry (Nick Mohammed), Mrs Tweedy (Miranda Richardson), Sir Eatalot (Matt Berry) in Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget. Cr: Aardman/NETFLIX © 2023
Roll on Aardman’s subsequent huge Netflix venture coming in 2024: Wallace & Gromit.
Numerous Netflix films have made their premiere or have been showcased on the BFI Film Festival this 12 months, together with The Killer from David Fincher and The Kitchen, like Dawn of the Nugget, making its World Premiere on October fifteenth.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 14: (L-R) Nick Park, Sam Fell and Peter Lord attend the “Chicken Run: Dawn Of The Nugget” The Mayor Of London’s Gala premiere in the course of the 67th BFI London Film Festival at The Royal Festival Hall on October 14, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for BFI)
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget arrives on Netflix globally on December fifteenth, 2023. It’ll additionally play in choose theaters in December – particulars TBA.