Summary

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget captures the magic of the original with a strong voice cast and hilarious supporting characters. The animation stays true to the original while also appealing to younger audiences, making it a blast overall. Netflix’s latest animated film is another success and adds to their impressive catalog. Check it out on Netflix now!

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget has all the momentum of the original and some great new additions to the cast. Director Sam Fell does a good job with a script penned by Karey Kirkpatrick, John O’Farrell, and Rachel Tunnard. Although the film is not as dark as its predecessor, it has the same overall effect. The animation is just as good, and fans of the most recent season of Star Wars: Visions will recognize the work of Pathé and Aardman Animations. Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget is certainly more kid-friendly, but it will please audiences of all ages.

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget is the long-awaited sequel to the 2003 film Chicken Run. Ginger, Rocky, and the whole flock are back, who again go up against Mrs. Tweedy. This time, Ginger and Rocky’s daughter Molly accidentally gets trapped in a “bird sanctuary” that turns out to be Mrs. Tweedy’s new chicken factory. Release Date December 15, 2023 Director Sam Fell Cast Thandiwe Newton , Zachary Levi , Bella Ramsey , Imelda Staunton , Lynn Ferguson , David Bradley , Jane Horrocks , Daniel Mays , Nick Mohammed , Miranda Richardson , Romesh Ranganathan , Josie Sedgwick-Davies Rating PG Runtime 97 Minutes Writers Karey Kirkpatrick , John O’Farrell Distributor(s) Netflix

What Is Chicken Run: Dawn Of The Nugget About?

After escaping the terror of the chicken farm they once called home, Rocky (Zachary Levi), Ginger (Thandiwe Newton), and the gang have finally found peace on an island not too far away. What’s more, Rocky and Ginger welcome the newest addition to their family and community, their daughter, Molly (Bella Ramsey). Rocky tells Molly epic stories about the adventures he went on with Ginger and fuels the fire within her. Though Ginger supports Molly’s ambition, she tempers it with a simple warning: Do not go back to the chicken farm. Molly doesn’t know the details of the horror her parents endured and thinks she can handle anything. From their secluded island, Rocky and Ginger keep tabs on the chicken farm and, to their dismay, another dastardly plot is afoot. When Molly rebels and heads off to the farm in search of adventure, it’s up to Rocky, Ginger, and all the other chickens to save the young whippersnapper.

Netflix’s latest foray into animation is yet another feather in their already sterling cap.

The original Chicken Run brought in over $200 million at the international box office. The film was both a smashing success and an instant cult classic. The film’s legacy is defined by the now iconic animation of Pathé and Aardman Animations. Distribution from Dreamworks led to follow-up properties like Wallace and Gromit and Flushed Away, but neither reached the heights of Chicken Run. However, in this long overdue sequel, the magic is back and ready to capture our imaginations again. Though some detractors feel the style comes off as flat and grotesque, it’s actually a perfect fit for the subject matter and a welcome change to Disney and Pixar’s animation style. With years of technology on its side, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget does not try to become something it’s not; rather, it updates a cartoon we already know and love.

Chicken Run: Dawn Of The Nugget’s Voice Cast Is Golden

What helps the film soar is the voice cast, who are fantastic. Zachary Levi and Thandiwe Newton replace the original leads, Mel Gibson and Julia Sawalha, and do so with grace. But the true heroes — of both the original and its sequel — are the supporting cast. Several Harry Potter alumni, including Timothy Spall and Imelda Staunton, return to their roles and do not disappoint. The film is rife with hilarious lines from supporting characters and the addition of Bella Ramsey is no exception. The Last Of Us star is magnetic, and it is a welcome change of pace to find her in an animated comedy.

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget is a blast overall. The performances hark back to the original, and while the sense of humor is not as edgy as it once was, it’s still very effective. The animation keeps its roots and still makes an effort to draw kids’ attention. All told, Netflix’s latest foray into animation is yet another feather in their already sterling cap.

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget is now streaming on Netflix. The film is 101 minutes long and rated PG for peril, action and some thematic elements.