Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget – Film Review
Published December 19, 2023
Movie Details
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget follows up the universally adored Chicken Run with an almost equal degree of finesse. It delivers much of what one would expect in a Chicken Run sequel: hearty humor, social commentary, eccentric animation and nostalgia, albeit tinged with a degree of unpredictability in its plot.
The story is well-crafted, centered on the daring rescue mission that the chicken protagonists embark upon. Their previous captor, Mrs. Tweedy, features prominently in the plot, although she is significantly less sympathetic this time around, indicating a refreshing take on her character.
It also introduces the engaging dynamic between Rocky and Ginger and their child Molly, alongside the playful conflict of old-fashioned chicken parents versus a young chick keen to explore the modern world. Molly’s precocious, adventurous nature works to complement the rustic wisdom of her parents. Their heartfelt journey presents an engaging drama within the comedy of this poultry world.
Moreover, the return of our favorite Chicken Run characters – Babs, Bunty, Fowler and the rats Nick and Fetcher – provides familiar humor and maintains the nostalgic feeling, reminding viewers of the first movie’s quirky, lovable cast.
However, despite these positive aspects, the sequel fails to fully capture the same brilliance as the original movie. While the social commentary remains an underlying theme throughout, it seems a tad overdone and forced in this iteration.
The brainwashing device collars plot could also have been presented in a less complicated manner for younger viewers, making it feel slightly underwhelming and out of sync with the movie’s generally straightforward humor.
Another significant point of contention was the inconsistency in the voice performances. Some of the replacement voice cast such as Thandiwe Newton as Ginger were impressive, fitting in effortlessly, while others were slightly jarring due to noticeable differences in vocal tones and delivery.
Moreover, some sequences, such as the group’s daring rescue mission and the climax, feel over-stylized and miss out on a natural flow, straying from the simplicity that characterized the original film.
Still, credit where it’s due – the quality of stop-motion animation in this film is quite astonishing, which we have come to expect from Aardman. This combined with a humor-filled, adventurous script and an engaging storyline results in a respectable sequel to the first Chicken Run.
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget may not be a flawless continuation of the first movie, but it holds its own. It offers much to appreciate, both for die-hard fans of the original film and newcomers to the series, with humor, a sprinkle of suspense and beautifully intricate animation.
Overall, this brand-new sequel delivers an engaging and humorous tale that slightly loses footing with complicated subplots and voice casting but is saved by beautiful animation, enduring characters, and heartfelt story.