Free Birds

[Beate]

The O2 had this stupid church thing going on again and we fought our way through the crowds to queue up in front of the balcony insanely early. We were a bit nervous about there not being anyone else for the movie for the longest time until the Sky ladies turned up with another family on their coattails - everyone else seemed to have been held back by overzealous ushers. And when they let the masses loose we instantly had a massive queue behind us. Then we had to remind the Sky ladies that we needed 3D glasses, and it was after 3pm when we were finally let in.

This had elements of Back to the Future, just with birds. To say it was a turkey would be unfair, as there wasn't just one but loads of them. It wasn't very funny and didn't make too much sense but now and then there were flashes of brilliance (Pizza delivery guy: "This is way outside my free delivery zone!") The time machine was seriously cool and I now have an insane craving for pizza. I do however have a bit of a problem with the turkeys being portrayed as Red Indians (sorry, Native Americans) with feathers in their fur and war paint on their faces (even though they were supposed to be peaceful folks). You are telling me we are now comparing the plight of the turkeys to the plight of the Native Americans? Yeah, right.
I also hate to tell Reggie and his pals that turkey for Thanksgiving is still a tradition so they seem to have failed after all...

7/10

[funthing29]

Not quite as dull as Justin & the Knights of Valour but still boring enough to put me to sleep. Owen Wilson becomes irritating very easily, the jokes felt very forced and the animation seemed quite simplistic. 5/10.

[mathew1971]

Watched at Trafford Centre and only 2/3 full??? Still got the usual annoying latecomers

Pretty average fare i was struggling to stay awake - the kids thought it was good but they enjoy pretty much any animated movies.

Hoping Frozen will be better in a couple of weeks.

Average 5.5/10

[The Sparrow]

I smiled a couple of times at this but never once did I laugh nor did I hear any laughter from any of the children watching. I did however, have two irritating adults sitting near me who inbetween chatting, did laugh loudly and pointed at the screen quite a bit too. WTF that was all about, I have no idea.

As for the turkeys which resembled Native Americans, I took it to signify that they, like the Native Americans, were present before the white man rather than comparing their plight directly to theirs.

I did love the space ship and George Takei, so will award this 5/10 and two of those points are for the ship and the Takei voiceover!

[baty]

Oh dear, really wanted to like this film but ....... some children in the audience were calling out funnier lines than the characters on screen. My grandson climbed onto my lap as he was bord.

The 'war' painting of the turkeys and wearing of feathers - they are birds with their own feathers , why was that done?????? it just confused grandson and moi, who then had to make something up to satisfy a young and enquiring mind.

Only bits that were good have already been said - George Takei and the Pizza man.
As the Sparrow has pointed out, the mission was a flop as Americans still eat turkey for thanks giving.
A sorry 4.5/10

[eumenides]

This is getting a right basting. I was so looking forward to it...but can so many people of taste be wrong ?

[McG]

I too thought this looked good and am disappointed to read the reviews so far . . . all my hope is now on Frozen!

[eumenides]

I too thought this looked good and am disappointed to read the reviews so far . . . all my hope is now on Frozen!

I propose a new film; Frozen Birds. Supermarket turkeys re-animate to take revenge on their carnivorous tormentors.

[baty]

I too thought this looked good and am disappointed to read the reviews so far . . . all my hope is now on Frozen!

I propose a new film; Frozen Birds. Supermarket turkeys re-animate to take revenge on their carnivorous tormentors.

[Beate]

Saving Frozen Birds - The Long Walk to Freedom