Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2157 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-02-08
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: DTS Surround Sound, NTSC, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English

Additional Features
The kids should really love the extras on the DVD of this comedy hit. The DVD-ROM features two games, plenty of coloring pages, a lively story version of the movie, and enough accoutrements (screen savers, desktop icons, and more) to turn your computer into a chicken coop. For other fans, there's a concise documentary on the making of the film and another on the history of Aardman Animation. And when you feel the need, you can always press the screaming chicken panic button to relieve stress. --Doug Thomas

Review
This film marked the smashing feature-debut of Aardman Animations, the Oscar-winning model-animation studio from Britain that specializes in "Claymation." Co-directors Nick Park and Peter Lord have eliminated the jerky motion traditionally associated with the process through the use of high-tech models and computer-aided filming methods; the painstaking methodology results in a triumph of a family film, seamlessly blending a sly script, intelligent pacing, memorable visuals, and joyful vocal performances by stars Mel Gibson, Miranda Richardson, and Julia Sawalha. The barometer of a successful "kids picture" is whether there are enough laughs to keep adults entertained, and Chicken Run is Grade A on all counts. A box-office success, the film was also a triumph for the animation division of Dreamworks Pictures, the U.S. studio financing the project, which quickly re-upped with Aardman for another feature project. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

On the DVD
Director's commentary with Peter Lord and Nick Park
DVD-ROM: two interactive games, desktop icons and pets, calculator, screensavers, and poster sets
Read along to the script
Two behind-the-scenes featurettes
Screaming chicken panic button
Trailers, bios, production notes, and other surprises

Customer Reviews

Not funny?
All those 1 star reviews claim that the movie was bad and not funny. Well, the first time was about to see it I thought it would be funny. It had quite a few funny moments but overall I got impression that it was rather sad (but optimistic). Then I realized that I liked it that way.
Technically, it is perfect, even in the era of 3D animated movies.
Chickens are not your prime target of any movies, but this is THE chicken movie to own. Funny and sad at the same time, if you think about it.

P.S: my usual comment for amazon reviewers. Before you claim that this or that movie is THE worst you ever saw, think twice. It might imply that you indeed have seen VERY few movies in your life, or that you are just talking bull. Can you seriously claim that a particular movie is the WORST movie you have ever seen? I don't know about you, but it would take me some serious thinking to come up with a SINGLE WORST movie I ever watched. Unless you are a Tibetian Monk, you probably did not think it through. It might be bad, but is it the worst?

real art, great satire, and many levels of interpretation
Hopefully they will not be binge eaters, but my kids just love this film and have watched it 30 times (at least). As I watch them watch it, I am fascinated at the many levels this can be seen on: as a concentration camp drama, as an ironic and hilarious drama on American bravado, and as just a great and funny story with deliciously delineated characters. This animated film maker is unique in that he is really serious about his art - wanting to do more than just make money - and uses a technique that many think is outmoded (claymation).

Warmly recommended. I never groan when my kids decide to put this on, as I even do with many disney films. This is superior filmmaking. Truly. Get it.

Better than I'd expected
When I saw this advertised, I wasn't sure what to think. I'd never seen Wallace and Gromitt, created by the same team. I was pleasantly surprised.

The film follows a group of chickens in an egg farm. Slowly, they disappear by the farmer's axe as they stop producing eggs. The chickens continually try to escape, but to no avail. Eventually, Mrs. Tweedy the farm's owner, decides to get out of the egg business, and into the chicken (pot) pie business.

The chickens get wind of her plan, and decide they must escape at all costs. Their salvation, literally, flies over the fence one day as Rocky, voiced by Mel Gibson, enters their lives. He claims that if they hide him in their coops, he'll teach them how to fly so they can get over the fence to safety.

All in all this was a very good movie, and suitable for children. The humor is good, and the plot sound, for an animated chicken movie that is. I'd like to see more feature films done in the style that this was done in. Like I said, I've never seen Wallace and Gromitt, so maybe it's time I checked it out, and you should check Chicken Run out as well. You'll be pleasantly surprised as well!