More R-rated wide releases hit theaters this week, except for one: the animated film based on a popular mobile video game franchise. Is there enough to keep the parents engaged as well? Christy Lemire breaks it down.
NEW IN THEATERS
Rating: PG, for rude humor and action.
The addicting app about colorful birds flinging themselves at pigs has been turned into a feature-length, animated film. It’s an origin story explaining who the birds are and why they’re so angry. Initially, the aptly named Red (voiced by Jason Sudeikis) is the only angry one on an island full of happy birds. But when a megalomaniacal pig (Bill Hader) and his minions arrive by boat — supposedly with friendly intentions but actually with a devious plot to steal their eggs — the rest of the birds get angry, too. There are some jokes to appeal to the grown-ups in the audience — at one point, Red laments: “Pluck my life!” — but they’ll probably go over kids’ heads. Kids probably won’t grasp the grotesque fact that the pigs are trying to turn birds’ babies into omelets. There’s also a lot of action and destruction here as the birds exact their revenge on the pilfering pigs, but it’s pretty silly and cartoonish. Overall, this is totally fine for viewers of all ages. I brought my 6-year-old son — an Angry Birds expert — to the screening, and he liked the movie way better than I did.
